Fundamental of Jainism

Author(s): Prithviraj Jain
Publisher: Prithviraj Jain

Page 11

condition but with the potentiality of purifying themselves. Once they become pure or liberated, no power on earth can stain them. Souls are different from the body and are infinite in number. “The soul is "possessed of knowledge and perception, is immaterial in its pure form, is the doer of all actions, is of the size of the body it occupies at the time, is the enjoyer of the fruits of its actions". 2
"It is tasteless, colourless, odourless, unmanifest and has intelligence as its quality. It is soundless, without any distinguishing mark and without defined configuration":3,
2. Matter or "Pudgala.” Matter is regarded as liable to integration and disintegration. Material substances can combine to form larger and larger wholes and can also break up into smaller and smaller parts, ending in anu or atoms. Matter possesses touch, taste, smell and colour. It is divided into atoms and moleculesi (Skandha). Two or more atoms may combine to form bigger molecules. All snbstances except the soul are devoid of consciousness. The atoms, according to Jainism, are fundamentally alike, having the above-mentioned qualities and not different for earthi, water, fire and air, as in the Nyaya system.
3. Space or "Akasha." Substances must have room to exist. That which affords this room is called Akasha. Akasha is of two kinds : Lokakasha (the space containing the world of souls, matter, time, etc.) and Alokakasha (the empty space beyond such a world).
4. Time ny "Kala." The substance responsible for modifications and changes in things is known as
2 Dravya Sangraha, 2. 3 Pravachanasara, 2. 80. 4 Tattvarthadhigama Sutra, 5. 23. 5 Ibid ,5 25.
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