Jain Journal 1969 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 23

The Jaina Theory of Substance
-as it appeared in the Buddhist texts--
BHAG CHANDRA JAIN
Substance (dravya or padārtha) in Jainism denotes any permanent existence with its numerous attributes and modifications. The substance has indeed a permanence (dhrauvya) but its specific phase has utpāda (origin) and vyaya (destruction). There is neither quality without substance nor substance without quality.3 Dravya as distinguished from bhāva, is one as a class, and is the inherent essence of all things manifesting diverse forms. 4 In its reality it can neither be created nor destroyed ; it has only substantiality. But through its modes it secures the triple nature in character.5
According to one classification, dravya is of six kinds, viz. jīva (soul), pudgala (matter), dharma (principle of motion), adharma (principle of rest), ākāśa (space), and kāla (time). The first five types of dravyas are called āstikayas (those which have different pradeśas or areas like a body) and the last is named anastikāya.6
According to another classification it is of three kinds, viz. sakriya (active), nișkriya (inactive), and sakriya-nișkriya (active-inactive). The sakriya dravyas, which have the capacity of moving from place to place, are pudgala and jīva. The nişkriya dravya is just the opposite of sakriya dravya. It has neither direct nor indirect functional power. Space comes under this classification. Kāla is also included in the category of nişkriya dravya, though it accounts for changes in other things. Saksiya-niskriya dravyas are those realities which move about without themselves undergoing changes or motion. These have merely avagāhana (place). Dharma and adharma come under this classification.
Jiva, dharma and adhrama have innumerable areas or pradeśas ; ākāśa has infinite pradeśas. Kāla has one pradeśa.? These six dravyas maintain their identical nature without losing their respective qualities,
i davvam sallakkhaniyam uppadavvayadhuvattisamjuttam
gunapajjayasayam va jam tam bhannanti savvanhu.–Pancastikaya, 10. ? utpadavyayadhrauvyayuktam sat.-Tattvarthasutra, 5.30. 3 davvena vina na guna gunehim dayvam vina na sambhavati.---Pancastikaya, 13. * Ibid., 8. • Ibid., 10-11. & Dravya Sangraha, 23. " Ibid., 25.