Jain Journal 1986 01

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

Page 6

JANUARY, 1986
Great logicians of Jaina school such as Samantabhadra,13 Akalanka,14 Vidyanandi,15 Prabhacandra,16 Hemacandra,17 Vadidevasuri,18 Mallisena1 and others have severely criticised the Advaitic theory of non-dual Brahman, doctrine of māyā and oneness of individual souls (ekajivavāda). Criticism of Advaitic conceptions are scattered in different Jaina works. An humble attempt has been made here to size them into unity in a very condensed form.
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Jaina thinkers argue that Advaitic doctrine of non-duality of Brahman and theory of māyā (i.e. illusory nature of the world) cannot be proved by any accredited means of knowledge. If it is provable by any means of knowledge then there is duality of pramāṇa and prameya.20 First of all, existence of non-dual Brahman is contradicted by our perceptual experience. Perception reveals only the world of plurality. Daily experiences of duality or plurality of phenomena cannot be repudiated as false appearance or illusory, because this difference is clearly seen and felt. There is no proof against this duality or plurality which is cognised in our normal experience. Where is contradiction in saying that potter fashions a pot with his sticks and eats his food with his own hand. The difference (such as potter and his actions) between agent and action is even known by the ordinary people. 21 If Advaitic view of non-dual Brahman is accepted, then, the difference observed between the agent and the action will not be possible. 22 The standpoint of the Advaitin's that one Absolute transforms into many
13 Aptamimamsa (A.M.), 24-27, ed. Pt. Gajadharlal Jain, pub. Bharatiya Jaina Siddhanta Prakashini Sanstha, Benares, 1914.
14 S.V., II, p. 463-468, 494, 677-678.
15 (a) Astasahasri (A.S.), p. 157-163, ed. Vansidhar, pub. Nirnayasagar Press, Bombay, 1915.
(b) Tattvartha Slokavartika, p. 25-26, ed. Manoharlal Shastri, pub. Nirnayasagara Press, Bombay, 1918.
(c) Satyasasanapariksa (S.S.P.), p. 1-9, pub. Bharatiya Jnanapitha, Kasi, 1964. 16 Nyayakumudacandra (N.K.), part-I, p. 63-64, 147-155, part-II, p. 808-812, 830-838, ed. Mahendra Kumar Shastri, pub. Manikchand Jaina Granthamala, Bombay, 1938 & 1941.
17 Anyayogavyavacchedika with Syadvadamanjari, 13. ed. Jagadish Chandra Jain, pub. Ravajibhai Chaganbhai Desai, Srimad Rajachandrasrama, Agas, 1970.
13 P.N.T., 1-15, VII, 13-17 and 56.
19 Syadvadamanjari (S.M.), p. 77-83, ed. A.B. Dhruva, pub. Bombay Sanskrit and Prakrit Series, 1933.
20 S.S.P., p. 7.
21 A.S.P., 158.
22 (a) Tattvartharajavartika, p. 21, pub. Bharatiya Jnanapitha, Kasi, 1953.
(b) A.M., 24.
(c) A.S., p. 158.