Jain Journal 1999 10

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

Page 8

KUMAR: THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
75
6
for their logical predications, even then they do believe for the attainment of Upavarga. Vaiseṣika stresses on the consideration of material particles, but is famous for ally of Nyaya and thus have the same ideology as the Naiyāyikās. Mimāmṣā, the strict and powerful devotee to the Vedas proclaims that 'dharma' is the injunction of the Vedas. Needless to highlights the ideology of Uttaramimāmsākas or Vedantins as they are famous for that,
Buddhism and Jainism are the representative of the Śramanika tradition, the opposite trend of Vedic tradition of Indian culture. Buddhists believe in the concept of Nirvāņa, and they claim that it should be attained by all as their supreme goal. They presented the idea for this attainment by the removal of passions, the chains that keep the soul in bondage.9 The second representative of Śramanika tradition, Jainism too believes in liberation, and they claim that it can be achieved by complete destruction of karmic matter, veiling the inherited power of soul, that is infinite in nature. 10
The above considerations define the ideology of different schools of India. It is true, that all schools of thoughts provide several methodologies and ways for this attainment. Contrary to this, it is a well accepted fact that they all consider 'Knowledge' as the essential factor for that.
Jñāna, Ajñāna and Knowledge
Jñana and Ajñāna are two different, but opposite conception, represented in English as 'knowledge' and 'Ignorance' respectively. That translation of these two words is not the exact meaning as undertaken by Indian thinkers. As they believe that consciousness, the inseparable entity of soul, and Jñāna-ajñāna are the manifestation of that consciousness.11 Furthermore, they define that applications,
6. Apurvara.....Sadhvah 9 Nyayamanjari, Ed. Nagin J Shah, L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, Series 40, 1975.
7. Athāto dharma vyakhyasyamaḥ 1/1/1 Vaiseṣikasūtram Ed. Muni Jambuvijya, Oriental Institute Baroda series No. 136, 1961.
8. Athāto dharmajijñasä 1/1/1 Mimansadarsanam. Ed. Dr G.S. Musalgaonkar Bhartiya Vidya Publication Series No. 1, 1979.
9. Abhidharmakoṣa IV, 127 Kasividyapith. Varanasi.
10. Khavetta Puvvakammaim .... Mahesino trivemi 28/36 Utträdhyayana, Edt. Sadhvi Candana, Virayatan Publication, Agra 1972.
11. Kartikeyanuprekshä, 180 Ed. A.N. Upadhyaye, Raicandra Ashram Agas Ist Edn. V.S. 2486.