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Scientific Contents of Jaina Canons
१९७
through which neither more, nor less but accurate about an object is known. This, I think, is the most up-to-date definition of the word Science of today, thus equating knowledge and science together. This inference may not be digestible to the traditionalists, as the word Science has many unpalatable connotations. This definition is just an elaboration of Kundakunda but better fitted for modernists to have their faith stabilised in Agamas. However, this knowledge should be taken of right or samyaka type which does not have uncertainty, doubt and error. This knowledge is said to be the pervasive cause of the right faith in the knower (BP. 14) and their words- Āgamas. Many common substances have been used to illustrate its various physical and spiritual qualities as shown in Table 1.
Table 1 : Similies for knowledge
S.No. Simily. 1. Water
2. Needle
3.
Fragrance
4. Controlrod 5. Hand 6. Weapon
Quality
Example Ref. cleaning property wiping out bad thoughts CP. 41 wiping diseases
BP. 91 small, pinpointed no salvation without Jnana
SP. 3-4 pervasiveness knowledge pervades faith
BP, 14 controlling power knowledge controls mind BP. 78 swimming power cross the sea of lust BP. 155 cutting /killing cutting lepers of Māyā BP. 156 capacity illumination
Jnāna illuminates self
and others vehicle for movement chariot of knowledge
for salvation status symbol importance of knowledge DP-20
7.
Sun
Chariot
9. Gem
The knowledge is useful in deciding good or bad. It is the essence of human life (DP-31). It leads us to learn about living and non-living. There are two types of knowledge importance for common man-the first one being sensory while the other one being scriptural (BP. 23). The latter is known as Sruta or Agama in the form of Sutras which must bo understood properly. It is said that the sensory knowledge is inferior
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