________________
S. S. Pokharna
ideas have been also suggested. A detail analysis of the doctrine of Karmas has been carried out in the 6th section in the light of the most recent developments in the field of quantum biology? which has just grown. We illustrate how beautifully the ideas of Ahimsa and rebirth creeps out from this theory.
Alter discussing all thes beautiful aspects, we want to clarify a very important point about the validity of the knowledge acquired in these two disciplines. We remark that Uiese methods provide us only with an approximate underestanding of nature. An absolutely perfect knowledge of all natural phenomena can be acquired only when one realizes the idea that knowledge is structured in the consiousness and hence a perfect knowledge can be acquired only by increasing the purity of consciousness and achieving the state of Keval. All scientific theories have been criticized in this spirit in the last section. We also illustrate how seriously the so called precise and accurate mathematical representation of scientific facts introduces uncertainity in our knowledge14.
2. Self-Consistency and Unifiedness of Jaina's approach :
A beautiful theory is that (a) which contains a minimum number of hypothetical assumptions and each of which is consistent with rest of the others and (b) which can explain a large number of phenomena in a satisfacory manner. The most beautiful theory in this respect will be one which can explain all phenomena occuring in the universe whether physical or biological. In the modera science, we have not yet been able to recognize of such a Theory. Controversies still exist 11 between mechanists and vitalists about the existence of Consciouspess and its nature. Mechanists argue that all phenomena in nature can be reduced to the laws of mechanics whereas vitalists believe in some illdefined consciousness or soul which is different from matter and may not follow the laws of mechanics. Problems of mindbody19 interaction are still as burning as they were at any earlier date. Even in the case of matter, the properties of various forms of matter and their interconnection is not clear i.c. there is no unifyinig and self consistent theory to explain say the four well known interactions viz. nuclear, electromagnetic; weak and gravitational interactions which govern all properties of matter as is believed hither-to1.
In this respect, the Jaina's theory that the whole universe can be constituted from the following six substances 5-6 viz. medium of motion; medium of rest, space, time, matter (Pudgal) and soul is extremely fasciniating. We find here that none of the six substances have any contradictions with any of the others. Each one of them is having its own functions, without affecting rest of the others. Furthermore, the fact that Jaina's