Jaina World of Non Living

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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The Jaina world of Non-living
made up of innumerable space points. It is a permanent reality undergoing number of modifications without changing its basic nature of serving as neutral and external cause of motion of other entities. It also distinguishes between the occupied and un-occupied universe. The propagation of waves, blinking of eye, activities and motion of different types etc. are all due to this reality. 13. The reality of medium of motion has been equated with Aether (of space) postulated by Newton (1642-1727 AD) through which light (or mattergy like electricity and magnetism) could move. The scientists had dificulty in defining its exact nature. Its material nature had to face unsurmoutable difficulties. Its non-material nature, therefore, points support in many ways. However, contradictory experimental reports have been made about its nature during 1881-1935. It is now agreed that earth is moving through a fixed ether, i.e. it is inert and non-material medium. However, the scientists have not been able to detect the presence of Ether so far. Muni Mahendra points out that this Jaina concept shows high similarity with the Newtonian concept.
The theory of relativity of Einstein has, however, led to discredit this concept on the basis of the postulate of relativity of truth in all worldly aspects. Accordingly 'No absolute motion can be determined in any way'. Jain scholars now indicate that this has led to dissolve the material ether concept rather than non-material ether concept of the Jainas. They presume that the non-determination of absolute motion is due to the incapability of the observer which could not be taken to mean its objective negation. Eddington, Reinbach, Margoni and many philosophers like Bertrand Russel also argue in the same way.
In general, motion and rest of entities are properties related with space and time. The age of relativity has unified them in terms of a four dimensional continuum, thus dissolving the concept of their absolute nature. Now, scientists deal with real or perceptual space rather than conceptual or absolute space. Though, this does not go against the concept of non-material absolute space as a possible construct, but this does not serve any useful purpose in exploring phenomena related with the order in the universe. Thus, the concept of the reality of medium of
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