Path of Arhat

SR No.: 001745
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T U Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Smarak Parshwanath Shodhpitha Varanasi
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 262
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Spiritual, Religion, & Principle
File Size: 15 MB

Page 80

Ontology of Atman, the Self
[ 55
from the philosophical structure erected by the Jainas, the whole edifice of that structure will collapse. It is, therefore, essential to consider first what is this "Self' and by what process of reasoning we can comprehend its existence.
The Jainas broadly divide the whole universe, including all its animate and inanimate objects, into two categories, viz. Jiva and Ajiva, i. e., Soul and matter. This Soul or 'spirit' is variously known as Soul, 'Atman', 'Puruşa' or 'Jiva'. The connotation of the word is the same, namely the element (Dravya ) known as “Jiva', in its pure form, is all consciousne:s and knowledge, sentient and possessing limitless motivating force. This force is apparent in all living beings including the plant life, but it is dormant even in inanimate thing such as earth, water, air and fire.
All the elements, not covered by this category of ‘Jiva', are 'Ajiva'. For the present, we shall neither discus the sub-categories of Jiva and Ajiva; nor the qualities and attributes of Ajīva, rather we shall concentrate on the metaphysics of Jiva.
Physical science has by now disclosed that every matter in this universe is composed of atoms. Democritus, an early Greek philosopher ( 460 to 370 B. C. ) was a brilliant mechanic and inventor and also had profound knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. He taught that world consisted of innumerable and infinitesimal atoms. He used the term atom or 'atoms' ( the Greek word meaning indivisible ) and held that these atoms moved in the universe in a whirlwind fashion and formed composite substances like fire, water, air and earth.
Several centuries before Democritus, Indian philosophers, and especially the Jaina and the Sörkhya philosophers, not only came to the same conclusion but went further by s'ating that all things of the universe including the atoms can be divided into two categories, namely, spirit and matter. Physics now tells us that all objects are made up of atoms and, if each of these atonis is split, it will be found composed of electrons, protons and neutrons, which can supply such a