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The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
tefold union of atoms with the material substances (pudgala parivarttas of paramāņus).
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In conclusion an estimation of the value of the Jaina concept of Matter has been made by making a comparative study of it with the concepts of Matter as embodied in other Indian systems of thought and the physical sciences with regard to its nature, elements, atomism, properties, effects and modifications, classification, atomic structure and atomic properties, motion, vibration and oscillation, its transformation and combination. The value of Jaina concept of Matter lies in the fact of its scientific approach to the problem of this permanent substance with its noumenal and phenomenal aspects from the points of view of dravya (substance), kṣetra (locus), kāla (time) and bhava (condition). as it exists in space and continues in time with its static and dynamic forces in the cosmic universe.
The study of 'Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy'* was suggested to me by the late National Professor Sri Satyendra Nath Bose, Ex-Vice-Chancellor of Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, in course of my discussion with him on the Jaina concept of Matter, while reading some aspects of it to him from my Ph. D. thesis Studies in the Bhagavatī Sūtra' at his residence in Calcutta in 1961. Fortunately, I was awarded a Senior Research Fellowship by the University Grants Commission, Government of India, on the 6th November, 1963, to carry on my research studies in my long cherished subject'
Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy" at the Institute of Languages and Research, University of Jabalpur, under the supervision of my late revered teacher, Dr. Hiralal Jain, M. A., LL. B., D. Litt., Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit, Dean of Faculty of Arts, University of Jabalpur.
* The Title of this D. Litt. thesis 'Doctrine of Matter in Jainism' has been changed to "Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy" for publication as it is more appropriate in the light of its study.
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