________________
98
Jaina View of Life Avadhi: Avadhi is a form of supersensible perception. In this, we apprehend objects which are beyond the reach of the sense organs. However, we perceive things in Avadhi which have form and shape. Things without form like the soul and dharma can not be perceived by Avadhi. This can be compared with clairvoyance. Due to the varying degrees of the destruction and subsidence of the karmic veil, the individual can perceive supersensible objects in different degrees. The highest type of Avadhi can perceive all objects having form. The Jainas interpret the capacity of perception in Avadhi in terms of space and time. They have developed a technique of mathematical calculation of the subtleties of time and space. Regarding space Avadhi can extend over a space occupied by innumerable pradegas of the size of the universe. With reference to time, it can perceive through innumerable points of time both past and future. Avadhi can perceive all the modes of the things according to the degree of intensity of perception. The lowest type of Avadhi can perceive an object occupying a very small fraction of space like the angula or finger-breadth. Regarding the capacity in terms of time, the lowest type of Avadhi can last for only a short time like a second. It cannot extend beyond a second. Similarly it cannot know all the modes of the objects. It can only cognise a part of the modes.98 Thus Avadhi, which may be compared to clairvoyance, differs with different individuals according to the capacity of the persons perceiving. The capacity is, in turn, determined by the relative merits acquired by the persons.
Modern psychical research has carried perception beyond opaque wall. Precognition and fore-knowledge have been of great interest to para-psychology. Even Kant was greatly interested in ostensible clairvoyance by Swedenborg with reference to queen Lovisa in 1761 and the clairvoyant cognition of the Stockholm fire.95 In Indian society we get many insta
93. Nandi-Sūtra 16. 94. New Frontiers of the Mind by J. B. Rhine (Pelican) p. 41. 95. Religion Philosophy and Psychical Research by C. D. Broad Kant and
Psychical Research.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
