Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy

SR No.: 007643
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jayantilal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 3 MB

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IV ACHARYA KUNDAKUNDA'S WORKS
Among the works of Kundakunda Acharya, five scriptures are known as the best ever written Jain Scriptures and there are no comparable works whatsoever anywhere in terms of its coverage, subject matter, depth and subtleness. The thoughts contained in these are unfathomable and every reading of the same will lead to deeper and deeper understanding of the substances in the Universe including the soul. Reading of such works agitates minds of great souls and unravels the mystery of the Universe, self and the state of Mokshya. Self-realisation and Mokshya are guaranteed to almost anybody who delves into the subject matter described in these works of Kundakunda Acharya.
| PANCHASTIKAYASANGRAHA In this scripture the Acharya has thrown light on the five Astikayas namely Soul, Atom, Dharma (motion), Adharma (motionless/medium of rest) and space. These exist in some special type of their own forms. However, the sixth (matter - time) is excluded as it only explains the duration of changes that take place in the soul and atoms. "Asti" implies existence and "kaya" means occupies space or "pradesa". An indivisible part of a space is called a pradesa and is occupied by an indivisible atom. The five astikaya substances (matters) occupy extensive pradesas but time occupies only one pradesa. Soul is a conscious matter, while others are unconscious. Atom is material but others are abstract or immaterial. Souls and Atoms are infinite in number but Space, Dharma and Adharma are unitary.
It deals in detail with vastuvyavastha, ie., system or order of the Universe, a prominent factor in Jain philosophy. It is not possible to understand the Jain theory and the Jain spiritualism without knowing the behaviour of the matter as interpreted in the Jain scriptures. So, Acharya Kundakunda composed panchastikayasangraha to discuss in depth the matters' behaviour patterns and how in particular, soul and atoms behave when soul turns into inward looking stage compared to its usual outward looking attitude in the mundane world.
This scripture contains 173 couplets as per the commentary written by Acharya Amritachandra, but according to the commentary written by Acharya Jayasen, there are
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