Jaina World of Non Living

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

Page 76

The Jaina world of Non-living
If there is only the reality, what will be its characteristics ? In their absence, the reality will only be imaginary as the horns of the donkey.
If the attributes and reality are taken as different, they will be devoid of differentia on absolutist difference. Secondly, the characteristic of reality as receiving or being received by attributes does not logically stand as the attributes are inactive and they can not approach the reality. It is said in Vaišesika Sūtra (5.2. 21-22) that direction, time and space are inactive and different from active reality. Similarly, the attributes and actions are also inactive.
The definition that reality is that which receives the attributes - does also not stand scrutiny as the inert realities can not approach to receive them. Moreover, the attributes are not self-existing. Just as Devadatta (or any person) reaches the village which is self-existing with underground water area, boundaries and other signs, the attributes are not that way self-existing which may approach the reality. Q. The Nyaya School points.out this way:
"The attributes may be proved to be self-existing because they could be seen to approach the reality during the baking process. It is observed that when earth or clay atoms are heated, their black colours are changed into red. Thus, the attributes are received by the realities." A. This is not correct. It will lead to differentiation between the reality and attributes. If there is reality always existing and attributes are destroyed and originating in it, it means that the reality and the attributes of colour etc. have different identity. Q. Let the attributes and reality be non-different due to their inherent relationship. A. This will also lead to permanence of attributes like the reality. In case of non-difference, when there is reality, there are attributes of colour etc. Alternatively, when there are attributes, there are reality. This will mean that just as the reality is permanent, the attributes will also be permanent. Further, it leads to the fact that if attributes like colour etc. are impermanent, the reality may also be so.
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