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Reality and Matter: Definition, Properties and Classification 151
inseparable causality in efforts23. The Jainas agree to this definition except the fact that they maintain the four basic qualities of touch, taste, smell, and colour as coexisting rather than otherwise. These and other qualities are inherent and inseparable from the reality. This is in contrast with the Vaiseşikas who agree qualities as a separate reality24. Jainas postulate their view on the basis of polyviewism and remove many discrepancies in characterisation of the reality. Sikdar25 has equated the property of action of Vaiseṣikas as modification in qualities of Jainas.
However, despite the similarity of definition of quality as such, the Vaiseṣikas seem to have large difference in enumerating them as shown in Table 626. They agree to 24 or 27 (modified) qualities including three sub-class of samskāra (trait) and two of Adrsta ( divinity) and liquidity at present. They have 11 general and 16 special qualities while the Jainas have 10 general and 16 special ones. Despite this nearly numerical similarity, Table 6 makes it clear that it would be very difficult to compare and contrast these qualities except the fact that the Jainas agree to touch, taste, smell and colour coexisting in material bodies and happiness, knowledge, sight and energy/effort to the living bodies. They also agree to quantity (fine, gross), combination (bond), decombination (division), sound, action, gravitation, liquidity, separation and number indirectly in different contexts27. Despite this difference, Vaiseṣikas description of similarities and dis-similarities is noteworthy. Table 6 Qualities in Jaina and Vaiseṣika Philosophies.
Jainas
Vaiśeşikas
(a) General Qualities
1. Existence or Permanence Number
2. Particulate nature
3. Motion/action
4. Sense perceptibility
5. Sense imperceptibility
Jain Education International
Quality/measure
Differentiality/separation
Combination
Decombination
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| SR No. | 001670 |
| Book Title | Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | N L Jain |
| Publisher | Parshwanath Vidyapith |
| Publication Year | 1996 |
| Total Pages | 608 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Science, & Religion |
| File Size | 9 MB |