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Revealing the Scientific Nature of the Jaina Concept 'Sammūrcchima' (Agglutination)
(The Paper presented in a National Symposium on Jaina Philosophy, Science and Scriptures, on
22nd-24th Oct. 2012 at Jasol, Rajasthan)
(I) References have been taken from the Website Wikipedia - Subtexts:- 1) Asexual reproduction
2) Hermaphrodite 3) Cloning
(II) References also been taken from Prāņiśāstra (part I and II) written by Dr. V.M.Āpte, published
by Mahārāstra State Sāhitya and Samskrti Mandal.
Introduction
Non-violence (ahimsā) is the basic principle of Jaina philosophy and ethics. Jaina philosophy has observed innumerable species of living beings in this universe. The classification and description of all the living creatures has been mentioned in the ancient Prakrit Scriptures and later Sanskrit texts of Jainas. Jaina philosophy describes the spread of living species and the nature of all kinds of living beings in universe, so as to enhance the sensitivity towards living beings. This knowledge helps to observe non-violence and avoid violence.
Classification of Living Organisms in Jainaism * Classification based on liberation i) Emancipated beings (siddha-jivas) ii) Worldly beings (samsāri-jīvas)
* Based on movement i) Immobile beings (sthāvaras) ii) Mobile beings (trasas)
* Based on mind i) Rational beings (samjñi) ii) Non-rational beings (asamjñi)
* Based on sense-organs From one-sensed beings to five-sensed beings.
* Based on destinity (gati) The beings having hellish, sub-human, human and celestial destinity.
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