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

Page 172

The General Conception of Knowledge 147 The soul of the Jainas is not so dependent. It exercises a full control over the karmic matter and can adjust it in his own interest. The Jainas are not fatalists. They provide ample scope for free activity.
Further, the Jainas hold that the functions of an agent as well as the experient continue in liberated souls also. But, that is merely a theoretical consideration. The Siddhas, as the liberated souls are known, do not move from one place to another place. Similarly, they do not suffer the modal change also. They will remain in the same position and form as they have come to possess once, at the first moment of their liberation. It is said that the cognition of Siddhas changes according to the change of object, and Siddhas also suffer the change as their quality of cognition changes. But, this point does not prove the existence of any real change in them. Moreover, when they are onniscient, knowing all the objects of the past, present and the future simultaneously, the question of change in cognition also does not hold any reason. The only purpose of stressing upon the principle of change in Siddhas is simply to apply the three factors of reality in their case also.
Moreover, it is controversial whether Siddhas cognize the objects in the same manner as the persons with imperfect cognition. It has an Infinite Plurality
Gautama asks in the Bhagvattsūtras : 0 Lord ! How many souls are there ? their number is numerable, innumerable or infinite ?
The lord replies : "O Gautama ! they are infinite in number."
The original text of the above talk maintains the term paryāya in the sense of numerical diversity. Gautama asks the number of paryāyas and Mahavira replies that it is infinite. Thus, the Jaina is an exponent of plurality of souls.