________________
The Axioms of Anekänta
changes into non-soul. It is also mutable and as such it passes through various forms of existence. This is explained in the following dialogue between Manditaputra and the Lord. Manditaputra : 'Is is true, O Lord! That the soul is
constantly subject to wavering and as a
result it passes through various states?' Lord : 'Yes, Manditaputra! This is true.' The same has been said to be true of a material atom which has been regarded as an ever-changing entity in Jainism. The permanence of the substance is due to its unwavering character (the attribute of immutability), while its impermanence is due to its wavering character (origination and cessation). This is manifest from the following dialogueGautama : 'Is the soul permanent or impermanent, O
Lord?' 'The soul is permanent in some respect and impermanent in another respect. It is permanent in respect of its substance (which is eternal) and it is impermanent in respect of modes which originate and
vanish. This is true not only of the soul but of all other substances which are neither absolutely permanent nor absolutely impermanent, but both permanent and impermanent.
Lord
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org