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112
Epistemology of Jainas
which cannot belong merely to the body, as they are not found in a dead body. Such phenomena as the feelings of pleasure, pain and the like are cognised by the person himself only, while the qualities of colour, taste etc, which belong to the physical body are cognized and perceived by others also; who have no direct cognition of the feelings of other persons. This shows that there are certain qualities in the person which are directly cognisable by himself only. From the fact of there being certain qualities of the person which differ radically from the qualities that belong to the physical body, we conclude that the entity spoken of as going to heaven is other than the physical body. (compare with the arguments given by Vidyānapda). Moreover the act of cognizing, desiring and the like presuppose an agent, which is the self Ātman.2
According sabara the actual nature of the self cannot be described in positive terms. It can be described negatively in the style of Upanişads- Neti-Neti, but its existence can be felt through introspection or inferred in the case of others.3 This soul is everlasting; a person or personality apart from the feelings and cognitions. It is in the terms of Brāhmanas indestructible, not liable to disruption, but it comes into contact with perishable things, like sense organs, merit (dharma) demerit (adharma) and so forth.4
According to Prabhākara the self is the basic cause of cognitions5 which are produced when other auxiliary causes assemble. 6 He, generally, follows the Nyāya conception. But, cognition according to him is an act (prayatna) of the soul and not a quality as the Nyāya holds. He does not admit soul
1: Šāstradīpikā p. 119 2. Idid., p. 120. 3. Sābarabhagya Tra. p. 26-31. 4. Šatapatha Brā, 14. 7-3-15. 5. Prakaranapancikā p. 147 6 Ibid. 149
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| SR No. | 006738 |
| Book Title | Jaina Epistemology |
| 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 |