Concept of Paryaya in Jain Philosophy

Author(s): S R Bhatt, Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 90

78 Concept of Paryaya in Jain Philosophy this concept, one can have a philosophical view of disasters like the recent earthquake and take spiritual solace by contemplating 'anitya anupreksa' (reflection of impermanence). 3.5. The spiritual outcome of the study of paryaya is thus complete understanding of this 'anicchabhava', as mentioned in Maranasamadhi. When the worldly objects are realised to be transitory and all relations temporary, there develops a philosophical yearning to solve the problem of life and death. It inculcates variragya' or the spirit of detachment and renunciation. This bhavana makes it very clear that in this world the position and pelf, contacts and co-residence, physical gifts and worldly accessories are all transitory (574-77). 3.6. This concept of ever - changing paryaya can be very useful in understanding the fanitya' nature of human body. It is composed of trillions of microscopic cells. Writes ELSPETH RENSHAW in Your amazing body'6, "300 million cells die in the body every minute, but the number of cells remain fairly constant - throughout our life. Dead cells are replaced immediately. All cells are constantly moving, pulsating and dividing". It is now known that the human body is completely transformed every 7 years. This gives us a graphic picture of everchanging paryayas of our body. 3.7. The writer on this paper was down with malignant lymphoma in March, 2000. At that time I studied how cells became malignant. I came to know that cancer occurs when malformed malignant cells are produced in the system. They are also called 'confused cells'. Fortunately, they are weaker cells and chemotherapy treatment destroys these cells (along with healthy ones). When I was undergoing this treatment, I was fortunate in getting blessings from Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji and Prof. Muni Shri Mahendra Kumarji in the form of this message. Everything in this world is transitory. The disease is also transitory. So do not get upset or be afraid of it. Face the crisis with courage and faith - faith in your own power. Contemplate "anitya bhavana". This type of contemplation is the direct result of the ever - changing nature of paryaya. This, therefore, is the most important practical utility of the concept of paryaya. The Concept of Paryaya and Non-absolutism. 4.1 Jaina logic asserts that both the substance (dravya) as well as