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 school of Sureśvara maintains the unity of Jiva ? On tõe other hand, the Vivarana-school admits plurality?
The main objection forwarded against the unity of jiva is that if there is only one soul, why there are different activities in different bodies. If all the bodies are pervaded by the same soul, why there is a difference in status. One is happy, the other is miserable. One is educated, the other is unlettered. We cannot say that the qualities like happiness and knowledge belong to the body as can be said of the fatness or thinness. Moreover, the scriptures say that many souls like Suka etc. have freed themselves from bondage of the world and attained liberation, while others are still in bondage. If there is only one soul this distinction cannot be explained.
The upholder of one jiva explains these difficulties in three ways-(1) Brabman is one and therefore, Jiva also is one, and there is only one body associated with it. Other bodies are without any Jiva, just as the bodies of dream-land. The whole world is an illusion of the same soul. The apparent difference is like the difference appearing in the dream. The story of the liberation of Suka etc. also is a dreamy phenoDienon. All points of difference and other difficulties are to be explained by the same simile of dreams. This view is held by Mandana Miśra and other followers of Drsti Srstivāda They hold that Ajñāna, though one, possesses the power of generating different kinds of things just as sleep in the state of dream projects various objects. There is one soul and one ajñāoa and therefore, jīva also is one. In this conception liberation becomes and ideal that can never be achieved individually.
(2) The second interpretation is based on the śrutis propo. unding Isvara as creator of the universe. It holds that the reflection of Brahman in Māyā is known as īśvaia and that is the only soul. It is known as Hiranyagarbha also. The other jivas
1. Naiskarmyasiddhi III. 53-54 2. Vivarana prameyasangraha p. 265