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Jainism and Modern Science
The view of Jaina thought will be better appreciated, if we can examine Jaina philosophy from the point of view of modern science. It is not possible for us in a short review to give a fuller account of the scientific aspect of the Jaina philosophy. However, we can mention a few prominent doctrines which clearly appear to be an anticipation of modern scientific thought.
Physics.
In the physical realm, Jaina philosophy postulates five distinct categories as constitutent elements for the building up of the cosmos-Jiva, Pudgala, Dharma, Adharma and Akāśa which may be translated respectively as Life, Matter, the principle of motion (Dharma), the principle of rest (Adharma) and Space. the first, second and the last are obvious; but the two categories Dharma and Adharma are technical and peculiar to Jaina thought. These are not to be confused with the ethical concepts of merit and demerit. They are entirely physical concepts which are credited with powers of holding together the infinite quantity of physical molecules in the form of orderly constituted cosmos. If these categories are not postulated there will be no structure of the world maintained. Material atoms constituting the world, will get dissipated throughout the infinite space. There will be merely a chaotic mass of cosmic dust with no world or life. From this description, it evident that the early Jaina thinkers postulated two physical categories Dharma and Adharma for the purpose of explaining the physical structure of the Universe.
Sound.
One other physical concept worth mentioning here is the Jaina account of Sound-All other Indian systems of thought spoke * From Contribution of Jainism to World Culture by Prof. A. Chakravarti.— Jaina Antiquary June 1944.
Jain Education International
June 1944
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