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Chapter 5
Reality and Matter: Definition, Properties and Classification
Defining the Definition
The Jainas assume the world as real consisting of many realities. The realism is in contrast with the idealism of Vedāntins and Madhyamic Buddhas. It is better realistic than Carvāka or Nyāya-Vaiseṣikas1. The various realities are commonly termed by different names like Tattvas, Arthas, Padarthas, Tattvärthas and Dravyas. These terms include most of the terms used in other Indian philosophies like Padarthas of Vaiseṣikas, Arthas of Nyāya school and Tattvas of Sankhya school. These have some difference in their meanings and number as well. This is shown in Table 1. For example, Dravya is one of the realities in Vaiseṣika school while it is the common name for the reality in Jaina school. However, Umāsvāti must be given credit for retaining only two terms of Tattva and Dravya for the reality which have been followed by later Jaina scholars2. Table 1 Realities in Major Indian Philosophies.
System
Name Number
1. Sankhya Tattvas
25
2. Vaiśeşika Padarthas 6, 7
16
Artha
3. Nyāya 4. Buddhas Aryasatya
5. Jainas
Jain Education International
Classification Non-living Qualities
Living
1
21
1 (part) 1 (part) 1 ( part ) 1 ( part)
1
1
1
4
(a) Dravyas 6 (b) Tattvas
5
7 (c) Padartha 9-11
7, 8, 9
Prior to this, different canons used varied terms for
3
5, 6
15
1 (part) 3
4,5
1
1
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