________________
(d)
Similarly, all properties of ultimate atoms should be accepted with respect to substantive and modal point of views. Thus, they will have aspectwise contrasting properties :
1.
S3W 5:
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The Jaina world of Non-living
Substantive properties
Finest
Cause
5-attributal
Permanent
Last of the divisions
Invisible
Jain Education International
Modal properties
Cause of gross aggregates
Effects
Multi-attributal
Non-permanent
Non-last, qualitative
differences
Modally visible.
(e) The basic ultimate atom has five basic qualities mentioned in the text. Thus, mass (dense/lightness) is not the quality of basic primary ultimate atoms. They are termed as 4-touch ultimate atoms.
(f)
The ultimate atom is invisible but its existence is proved by omnisciental perceptions, scriptures, inference and its aggregatal effects. (g) There are three kinds of aggregates- whole aggregates, half part of the aggregates and quarter part of the aggregates. The five elements of other systems are mattergic aggregates.
2. Many scholars have different english terms for these Jaina terms of this aphorism 5.25. It has already been pointed out that early scholars indicated two types of atoms (i) cause atom and effect atom and (ii) absolute(ideal) atom and apparent or practical atom. This has solved many of the difficulties of even current age. The general descriptions seem to refer to practical atom. The ideal atom of Jainas cannot be equated to any of the fundamental particles of today as they will be either practical atoms consisting of infinite ideal atoms or aggregates. Thus, the changing equivalence of Jainian ideal atom by many authors will be superfluous. However, it is found that many of the properties it attributed to (now ideal) atom involve many flaws in their explanations.
The term 'Skandha' has been translated as aggregates here rather than molecules as the later refers to only chemical and more stable
237
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
