________________
Atomism
141
CONCLUSION WITH A SHORT NOTE ON THE BRĀHMANICAL AND BUDDHIST
ATOMIC THEORIES : The conception of paramānu (atom) in the Brāhmanical and Buddhist schools has been associated with the theory of the four elements of Matter, viz. earth, water, fire and air. According to this conception, four distinct kinds of atoms. correspond to these four elements and their distinctive qualities are inherent in several atoms. This view of the atomic theory has accordingly been accepted by the Brāhmanical and Buddhist atomists (i. e. Vaibhāşikas and Sautrāntikas) on the basis of the atomic growth of elements of Matter, although their opinions differ in details.
The atomic theory is the cardinal tenet of ths Vaisesika philosophy.1 According to its doctrine, “things that exist and are not produced from a cause are eternal; they may be inferred from the fact that all known things are products (effects). Besides, everything perceived is non-eternal, this idea of noneternality presupposes enternality:"2 “The uncaused causes
1. Brahmasūtra, II, 2. 11 ff. and Sārkarabhāsya on them. 2. Sadakāraṇavannityam-VS., IV. 1. 1, Pythivyādinās
navānāmuddeśam lakṣaṇaparlkşā nirvartya prakṣtermūlakāranatāṁ Sākhyābhimata niracikīrṣuḥ paramāņunām mūlakāraṇatvam pệthivyādyantarbhāvanca siņādhayişurnityāsāmānyalakṣaṇaḥ tāvadāhaSadakāraṇavannityam, etc. VS. 4. 1. 1; Tasya kāryam lingam, Ibid,, IV. 1. 2; Tasya paramāņoḥ kāryaṁ lingam, 1. 4. 1. 2; Tathāca Gautamiyaṁ sūtram - Vyaktāt vyaktasya nispattiḥ pratyaksaprāmāṇyāt-A. 4. 1. ? Avayavāvayaviprasangastāvadanubhūyate sa yadi niravadhiḥ syāttadā merusarsapayoh parimāņa bhedo na syāt, anantāvayavārabadhatvāvišeşat etc, (comm.) 4. 1. 2; Kāranabhāvāt kāryabhāvaḥ- Ibid., IV. 1. 3;
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
