Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
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

Page 209

Reality and Matter : Definition, Properties and Classification : 187
species called skandhas by the Jainas.
Modern science has classified mattergy in two forms : atoms and their combinations or molecules akin to Jaina's basic two. However, the Jainas presume all the atoms (per chance ideal ) as similar contrary to 109 varieties of scientists. Their atoms should be equated to real atoms of the Jainas. The aggregating of atoms may be classified in many ways specially chemically and structurally. The structure of atoms and molecules is within current scientific knowledge. The Jainas could not go deeper into the atoms and molecules because of their all-time truth authority. However, the various classifications of philosophers suggest their base to be sense-perceptibility and common sense. The scientists classification, on the other hand, is based on more fundamentally structural and instrumental basis. Conclusion
The above comparative description of the definition, properties and classification of mattergy suggests that the philosophical contents of the Jainas stand in a contemporarily high position where concepts and intellectual maturity is concerned. Their observation power has been enormous. However, when one compares the canonical contents with the current knowledge, one feels the difference. But here the fortunate position is that most of new additions to the knowledge are supplementary rather than contradictory. Though there are many discrepancies in many descriptions but they could be rectified or rearranged easily in view of the current knowledge. One has to feel, however, the keen and acute observation power and analytical capacity of the Jainas. The above descriptions about mattergy point out about the gap between the level of knowledge during the scriptural age and our age. It could be confidently said that had there been instruments like today, little less aversion to physical labour for experimentation and proper communication, the seers of the past would have stood the current times.