Atma the Self

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

Page 68

.... ĀTMĀ
The Self....
and insect-eating which modern science have found in Africa and South America. Jainism has described plants and trees having sex, fear, acquisitive and many other instincts. Though they have only one exterior sense, they have all the five inner-senses (Bhāvēndriya) and also innermind (Bhāvēndriya Bhāvamana). This has been proved by the invention and use of 'Galvanometer', which like cardiogram registers different emotional vibrations of the plants.
Modern science is in a state of fermentation, and entirely new concepts of matter and its field are appearing. Einstein's concept of religion is very near to that of Jain's. Einstein 1941 'A person who is religiously enlightenea appears to me to be one who has to the best of his ability liberated himselt from the fetters of his selfish desires.....
His attitude to science and religion is worth bearing in mind.
'.... there also belongs the faith in the possibility that the regulations valid for the world of existence are rational, that is comprehensible to reason, I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist, without that profound faith..that situation may be expressed by an Image'.
'Science without Religion is Lame Religion without Science is Blind'.
Science accepts that a Drop of water contains thousands of viruses (bacterias), etc. and innumerable molecules (Skandha) yet there is more empty space in between, than all these put together. It is further stated that a drop which is about 1/8 of an inch if enlarged to the size of earth. (about 8000 miles in diameter) a molecule would be as big as an orange. Steam from a litre of water will spread over sizeable area and the mist covering some cubic miles, if turned into water will not be more than a litre.
Jaina Scriptures have detailed descriptions of these and more from beginningless time, as known and seen by the Omniscient Teacher. A drop of Water is made of countless invisible, immobile waterbodies (becomes visible only when in sizeable groups/quantities). All the molecules and i unaccountable visible and invisible forms of life are within the surroundings of these water - bodies and in between excessive empty space.