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EIGHT CHAPTER
ATOMIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER AND
PROPERTIES OF ATOM
FIRST SECTION ATOMIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER
In continuation of the fourth chapter on Atomism it is necessary further to have a detailed discussion of the atomic structure of Matter, the nature and properties of atom in relation to the Brāhmanical and Buddhist views on them.
In Jaina Philosophy paramānu (ultimate atom) is studied from the points (locus or field), kāla (time) and bhāva (condition), as it is the finest particle of Matter the further division of which is not possible; it is identical with one space-point and one unit of time (ksana-samaya), and is endowed with quality and it is ever changing in nature. 1
Paramānu is an indivisible unit of Matter; it is the finest of all forms of Matter; the finest point of space is an indivisible one space-point; the finest unit of time is an indivisible instant; and the finest unit of quality of Matter is bhāvaparamāņu (atom of quality). So Jaina Mataphysics mentions dravya-paramānu (atom of material substance), kşetraparamāņu (atom of space), kālaparamāņu (atom of time) and bhāva-paramānu (atom of quality).2 1. From the general point of view Paramāņu is one "egepara
mānu", Sthā. I; Bhs., 25. 4. 70; 20. 5. 670; Ācārānga Cūrņi, p. 195;
Uttarādhyayana Sūtra, Țikā (Kamala Samyama), p. 99. 2. Goyamā ! cauvvihe paramānu pa. tan- davvaparamāņu,
khettaparamāņu, kālaparamānu, bhāvaparamāņu, Bhs., 20. 5. 670.
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