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Atomism
internal causes and made a synthetic approach to the problem of the atomic theory from the aspects substance, locus time and condition1 by taking into consideration of all the concepts. of atom of other Indian systems of thought.
Denial of Paramāṇuvāda (Atomism) by the Vijñānavādin Buddhists
In his Vijñaptimātratā siddhi, Vasubandhu made the refutation of the doctrine of Paramāņu (ultimate atom) in the Vimsatikā in the following manner: While rejecting the existence of external object of Vaibhasikas, he opined by the first karika that their admitted external object cannot be called one whole nor many and the aggregate of combined atoms, because paramāņu is not proved. In support of his contention why it is not proved, he said in the second karikā that if having accepted paramāņu, the combination (or conjunction) of other atoms with it is admitted, the existence of atom is not proved. Those which are the objects of Vijñaptis (pure sensation or general consciousness) have got no existence. He says that rūpa (colour), etc. - the bases of cognition are either one and composite whole (avayavin-rupa), just as found in the conception of the Vaiseṣikas, or atomically many, or the combination (aggregate) of atoms. But one does not become the object of Vijñapti (pure sensation or general consciousness), because each and every atom cannot be apprehended from amongst the atoms. Again, the combined 1. Bhagavati Vyakhyāprajñapti, sataka 25, uddeśaka 4, sūtra 740; sataka 20, uddeśaka 5, sūtra 670; Acārāmga Curni, (Jinadasagant) p. 165; Uttaradhyayanasūtra with Ṭīkā of Kamalasamyama, p. 99.
2. Na tadekam ca anekam visayaḥ paramāṇuśaḥ
Na ca te samhatā yasmāt paramāṇurna siddhyati Satkena yugapat paramanoh sadan sata Sannām samanadeśatvāt pindah syadaṇumatrakaḥ. Vijñaptimātratasiddhi, Kārikā Vimśatikā, Vide Nyayadarśana, Fifth Pt. p. 105.
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