Jainism

Author(s): M R Gelra
Publisher: Createspace

Page 41

CHAPTER-3
METAPHYSICS
Introduction Metaphysics is a science of being and knowing. It deals with abstraction.
Metaphysics is defined as the branch of philosophy that examines the true nature of reality, whether visible or invisible. Metaphysics includes the relationship between mind and matter, substance and attribute, and, fact and value. Since the dawn of civilization, humans have been curious about the nature and functioning of the universe, about the creation, birth and death of various types of living beings and about human behavior and its causes. Through metaphysics, different philosophies and faiths have given answers to these questions in various ways.
Narration
There is a story known to be the shortest story of the story-world. Two passengers were travelling in a train. One of them asked another 'Do you believe in ghosts'. The other man said" No" and the first man disappeared. The morale of the story is that we do not believe in many things which are not visible to us, nevertheless they exist. We start believing them when we experience them or when we have a strong faith in them. Every religion postulates certain metaphysical concepts on which their full-blown structure is based.
Jain metaphysics Jain philosophy is based on four fundamental metaphysical concepts:
Atmavad - Concept of soul Karmavad - Concept of Karma Lokavad - Concept of Universe Kiryavad - Concept of Action.
These metaphysical concepts can be traced from the first sentences of Acharanga, the oldest canonical text of the Jain Agams. Mahavira said "Only he who knows the transmigration of the soul is the upholder of the doctrine of soul, Loka (universe), karma and action". Because Jains accept the soul, the karma and its results, it is clear that Jain philosophy is not Akriyavadi (non-action) and Nastikvadi (non-believer). Here we deal with two main concepts of Jainism i.e. concept of soul and concept of karma.