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
also as located in the dravya. But that does not constitute a definition of the latter as paryāyas exist in guņas also.1 According to the N. V. systems also dravya is the abode of guna (quality) and karman2 (motion). As far as gunas are concerned they agree with the Jainas. But, the conception of karman is altogether different from the conception of paryāya. Karman is a motion and exists in the dravyas which have a limited dimension. The paryāya of the Jainas means change which exists in all the dravyas. Guna and paryāya are the very characteristics of a dravya.
Guna : It is an attribute that continues in all the successive stages of a dravya4. For instance, consciousness is the guņa of jiva (soul). It exists constantly in every jiva. It may undergo changes according to the object or the karmic influence but never disappears totally,
Par yāya : The successive stages through which a dravya passes are known as paryāyas. The different forms of the soul as man, animal, the being of the heaven or hell are paryāyas. In the case of pudgala (matter) colour, taste, smell and touch are guņas; but, the different forms of jar, cloth etc. and different shades of colour such as black, white etc. are paryāyas.
Relative Identity and difference between drayya and the other Two: The guņas and paryāyas are relatively different as well as identical with the dravya. Yaśovijaya explains this differeace by citing the example of a pearl necklaces. The necklace differs from the pearls as well as their brightness. In the same way a dravya differs from its gurias as well as paryāyas. He explains the identity by citing another example. The gold is not different from its brightness and the different forms of ear ring,
1. Uttarā. XXVIII, 22. 2. Vaišeşikasūtra 1.1.15 3. Vai esika Upa. 1.1.17 4. Dravyagunaparyāyanorāsa p. 118. 5. Ibid., 11.12.