Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
- 53 -
The two aspects regarding the independent existence or non-existence of time as a substance, which later divided into different beliefs of 'Digambara' and 'Shwetambara', may have already been present in Jain philosophy, or they might have gained a place in Jain philosophy at some point as a result of the ideological conflict with Vaisheshika and Sankhya philosophies. However, one thing is clear that the presentation of time in Tattvartha and its interpretations closely resembles the Vaisheshika sutras. The ontological interpretation of existence and eternity parallels that of Sankhya and Yoga philosophies. The described form of paramanitya (the eternal results) closely matches the sat (truth) and nitya (eternal) in Tattvartha. The qualification for the emergence of matter described in Vaisheshika philosophy is different from the qualification for the emergence of pudgala (matter) in Tattvartha. The explanation of substance and qualities in Tattvartha bears more resemblance to that in Vaisheshika philosophy. The definitions concerning results in Tattvartha and Sankhya-Yoga are the same. The understanding of substance, qualities, and modifications in Tattvartha echoes the tendencies in Sankhya toward reality and results and in Vaisheshika toward regarding substance, qualities, and actions as the primary reality.
The essential points of Charitramimamsa address which tendencies in life are unworthy, what their root cause is, what the outcome is for those indulging in unworthy tendencies, how the renunciation of such tendencies can be achieved if possible, and what types of tendencies should be embraced in their place, as well as the progressive and ultimate results of these in life. These considerations appear from the sixth to the tenth chapters of Charitramimamsa. All these thoughts, due to the distinct definitions and communal systems of Jain philosophy, seem to stand apart from any other philosophy.