Jain Journal 1974 04

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

Page 16

154
or disunion of atoms; and these, therefore, are not the cause of the world's formation or dissolution.
"Eternal atoms and transitory double atoms differ utterly and union of discordant principles cannot take place. If aggregation be assumed as a reason of their union, still the aggregate and its integrants are utterly different and an intimate relation is further to be sought, as a reason for the aggregation. Even this assumption therefore fails.
JAIN JOURNAL
"Atoms must be essentially active or inactive: were they essentially active, creation would be perpetual; if essentially, inactive, dissolution would be constant.
"Eternity of causeless atoms is incompatible with properties ascribed to them; colour, taste, smell and tactility for things possessing such qualities are seen to be coarse and transient. Earth ended with those four properties is gross, water possessing three is less so; fire, having two, is still less; and air, with one is fine. Whether the same be admitted or denied in respect of atoms the argument is either way confuted earthly particles, coarse than aerial, would not be minute in the utmost degree; or atoms possessing but a single property, would not be like their effect possessing several.
"The doctrine of atoms is to be utterly rejected, having been by no venerable persons received, as the Sankhya doctrine of matter, a plastic principle, has been, in part, by Manu and other sages."9
Points, on which the sectaries differ from the orthodox, rather than those on which they conform are the subjects of the present treatise. On one point of conformity, however, it may be right to offer a brief remark as it is one on which the Jainas appear to lay particular stress. It concerns the transmigration of the soul, whose destiny is especially governed by the dying thoughts, or fancies entertaining at the moment of dissolution.10 The Vedas11 in like manner, teach that the thoughts, inclinations and resolves of man and such peculiaitry as predominate in his dying moment, determine the future character and regulate the subsequent place in transmigration. As was his thought in one body such he becomes in another, into which he accordingly passes.
from the Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. I, pages 549-79.
Sankara on Br. Sutra, 2.2. 3 (s.17).
See Transact. of the Roy. Asiat. Soc., Vol. 1, p.437.
11 Br. Sutra, 1.2.1.
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