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 419

Definition of Living : 397
activities or emotions, but its structural causation is missing. These examples could be multiplied. It is possible to conclude that canons represent an age of physical observation and mental conceptualisation. The current age represents an era of experimentation and instrumental examination which has added many finer details to the canonical contents and some newer facts also. It has given better insight into various aspects of life.
Of course, it will have to be admitted that the observation power of the Jaina seers seems to be quite advanced over other contemporary philosophies. In most cases, their observations have been verified and supported but in some cases they have to be re-examined and retold. Though the observational process represents one of the three steps for scientific knowledge, but natural observation and the same through instruments and objected experiments makes a difference. The gap between the two must be recognised and the results will represent a measure of intellectual growth of mankind between the canonical and current age. There would have been much progress in biological field if the Jainological contents could be known to the scientific community of the world during earlier centuries.
References 1. Jinendra Varņi : Jainendra Siddhāntakośa-2, p. 307. 2. Edited Madhukara Muni: Ācārānga-1, A. P. S., Beawar,
1980, p. 364. 3. Edited Yuvācārya Mahāprajña : Dasvaikālika, Jaina
Vishvabharati, Ladnun, 1976, p. 105. 4. Haribhadra Sūri : Şaddarsana-samuccaya, pp. 48-49, p.
458.
5. Edited Madhukara Muni : Ācārānga-1, pp. 28-30. 6. A. L. Basham : The Doctrine of Ājivikas, M. L. B.D., Delhi,
1975.