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PART II
CHAPTER II. THE UNIVERSE
REALITY
The Universe is the only reality. The word "reality" has many meanings, but as meant here that which is real is called substance (dravya). The universe is a universe of substance; and by universe we mean every thing and being that there is, visible or invisible, tangible or intangible, sentient or insentient.
If the universe be regarded as one whole, in the past, present, and future, then there is but one example of it, there is no other reality. That which is other than real is not real, but is false or fanciful, and impossible of existence except as a false idea.
The following paragraph is of interest only to the logical mind:
Now, as the universe is all that is, it becomes necessary to understand what is meant by nothing or all that is not. Given a universe of real substance, the absolute nonexistence of any part of it, large or small, is impossible, as is the absolute non-existence of the whole of it, to leave an empty nothing. Outside away beyond all the worlds, heavens, hells, or other abode of living beings, there is empty space, but space is real and something. Empty nothing is a false idea or ignorance of what is. Nothing is not real when it means absence of all reality. Regarding the universe as one whole, we must include Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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