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 429

Classification and Life Cycle of Living Beings : 407
with the other two-fold classification of beings with mind and without or undeveloped mind13. Botany deals with plant kingdom only while zoology may be taken to include living ones with or without canonical mind. They include from fine insects to animals and other mammals. This is a little subtle classification requiring better elaboration. Moreover, scientists find some exceptions in each class due to recent researches. Some exceptions were noted by Jaina scholars too!4. For example, a foetus in the womb which does not seem to move and a cyclone which moves fast. Such cases have been explained on the basis of karma theory in canons.
The characteristics of plants and non-plants are given in Table 2 as described in Jaina canons alongwith current points. It is clear that canonical points belong mostly to preinstrumental era. They do not include the three modern characteristics of plants : (a) occurrence of chlorophyl, (b) cellular and cellulosic structure and (c) auto-feeding habits. Similar points regarding animals are also absent. However, the sexual pro-creation and open/semi-open seeding and some other points were known to Jainas even in 10th century which are micro-scopic contributions in science. The table 2 indicates that the scientists are peeping into internal points while the canonists are mostly externalists. Table 2 : Canonical and Scientific Characteristics of Plants/
Animals.
Plants/non-mobiles Animals/mobiles
3
2
(A ) Canonical 1. Nature
( locomotion ) 2. Reproduction 3. Types 4. Ovum 5. Species
They are non-mobile They are mobile (except a few ) A-sexual
Sexual/a-sexual 18
15 Closed
Open 24 lacs
24 lacs ( excluding