Jain Journal 1972 07

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

Page 30

JULY, 1972
(4) Knowledge of distant objects, past or present, and the minds of others (manah-paryāya-jñāna), and
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(5) Perfect and supreme knowledge of everything (kevala-jñāna).
The first two are ordinary: the third and the fourth are possessed by philosophers, and the last one of all by the perfect man who is ready for the last stage of nirvāṇa-god-hood.
The second substance of the universe, according to Jainism, is matter; and this, again, is sub-divided into static matter, energy, rest, space, and time.
The matter (pudgala) which, in certain stages, can be perceived by the senses is the gorssest kind.
In this stage sight may perceive its colour; its quality may be tasted; it may be touched; it may be smelt. Matter is composed of atoms (paramāņus) varying from the smallest molecule of two to an infinite number forming whole physical universe (mahā-skandha), where, of course, it is obvious that neither the smallest atom of all, nor the largest conglomeration, can be held within the perception or reach of the senses of man.
Sub-dividing again, Jainism advances a new and original thesis, for it posits two kinds of this static matter: the aforesaid grossest (pudgala) and a less gross matter, which, the text says, retains impressions.
This new kind of matter is called karmaprayoga-pudgala, and is associated with the old law of karma, a word now familiar to the Western world, to scholars and laymen alike, though it has, hitherto, been used so loosely as to arouse a great deal of suspicion in the minds of scholars.
Gross matter (pudgala), reinforced by other matter of its kind, or dminished by contact with it, is the basic medium of bodies.
It is subject to change its forms are subject to decay and death: and life uses them and discards them at death. No real affinity is ever formed between this matter and life.
But the other karmic matter takes on itself the movement of life and is not so readily discarded by life; life becomes almost inextricably