Jaina Epistemology

SR No.: 006738
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 516
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

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Epistemology of Jainas
the Āgamas, where numerical diversity also is expressed as paryāya.?
We meet with numerous instances where the above standpoints are expressed in both the aspects.2 When all the six categories of Dharma, Adharma, Akāśa, Pudgala, Jiva and Kāla are considered as dravya or loka it is a case of horizontal universality.3 The statement of the Sthānāngasūtra4 expressing the soul, the universe, the knowledge and many other things as one also stands in the same class. The Bhagavati and Prajñāpanāsūtras mention many stages of jyva and pudgala. They are the instances of vertical universality.5
The Vertical Universality and the Notion of Oneness : We have stated above that the substance or dravya is recognised as horizontal universality in contrast with numerical difference and it is vertical universality in contrast with temporal diversity. In both the cases it generates the notion of oneness. As far as the vertical universality is concerned the systems of Nyāya and Jainism agree with each other. Both of them hold that the universality which continues in the successive stages unites them and generates the notion of oneness. But, in the case of horizontal universality the tarka-school of the Jainas holds a slightly different view. It maintains that the latter does not generate the notion of oneness but that of similarity; while the Naiyāyika holds that the universality of cowness (gotva) is one in all the temporally or numerically different units of cows. The Jaina Āgamas also differ from the tarkaschool in this respect. They hold that both varieties of the universality produce the notion of oneness. We have mentioned
1. Bhagavati 25.5 and 25.2; Prajñāpanā 5 2. Ibid. 7.2.273; 14.4.512; 18.10 3. Sthânānga 458 4. Ibid., 1-2 5. Bhagavati 14.4; Prajñāpanā 13 6. Prameyakamalamārtanţa, p. 467