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PREFACE
The Concept of Matter has been treated by every system of thought in its own way from the noumenal and phenomenal aspects as it exists in space and continues in time with all its qualities and modes. This subject has not so far been exhaustibly studied from the metaphysical and physical points of view on the basis of the sources of both the Jaina Agamas and the post-agamic works, although Dr. B. N. Seal, Prof. G. R. Jain, Śrī Mohanlal Banthia, Dr. Harisatya Bhattacharya and other scholars made brief appraisal of it in their respective works 'The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus', 'Cosmology-Old and New', 'Jaina Padārtha Vijñāna men Pudgala' and 'Reals in the Jaina Metaphysics' in course of their studies in Jaina thought on this problem.
In the agamic period the Jaina conception of Matter formed the foundation-stone of Jaina physics in a nascent form on a metaphysical basis. On it a superstructure of 'Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy' had been raised in the post-agamic period which commenced with the time of Umasvati and continued through out the period of the later Jainācāryas. It has been much developed in the light of the concept of Matter as embodied in other Indian philosophies with the progress of speculative thought, having kept in view the historical background of all their notions on this subject.
In Jaina philosophy. Matter has been analysed on the basis of its conception as a permanent substance possessing infinite qualities and modes with many unique notions about it as found in the physical sciences. The Jaina concept of Matter is flexible to some extent, as is shown by its comparative study with the concepts of Matter in physics and metaphysics where it has passed through a series of developments into a meaningful stage of dynamic reality of the present day.
A study of 'Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy' throws
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