Jainism by Vividus

Author(s): Ramnik V Shah
Publisher: Ramnik V Shah Canada

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of the Nyaya-Vaisheshikas. Even as the one uniform Prakrti of the Samkhyas creates earth, water, fire, air, ether etc, so the atom of the Jainas tranforms itself into various forms such as earth, water etc. This is matter, make no mistake about it, different from Ekindriya Jiva earth, water etc. Though described by similar words earth, water, etc., of the matter classification are different from earth bodies, water bodies etc., of Ekindriya Jiva classification.
The Jaina school differs from Nyaya-Vaisheshikas in as much as it does not accept that the material atoms of earth, water etc. are fundamentally of different types. Another basic difference is the concept of Jaina atom as being so subtle as compared with that of Nyaya-Vaisheshikas to become ultimately as unmanifest (Avyakta) as the Prakrti of Samkhyas. The Jaina doctrine of the infinity of atoms is almost similar to the doctrine of the plurality of the Prakritis of the old Samkhyas corresponding to the doctrine of the plurality of the Purushas. (2) Dharma is the second kind of Ajiva. It is a subtle and quite imperceptible medium, though it fills the entire universe of life and matter, Because it exists, there is possible a motion for all things. Without water, fish cannot move, even though equipped by nature to so move. (3) The third kind of Ajiva is Adharma, which also is a subtle and quite imperceptible medium. Though like Dharma it also fills the entire universe of life and matter. Without a tree or its shade or ground below, a bird cannot stop its movement and rest, though equipped by nature to so stop and rest. (4) Akasha i.e. space is the fourth kind of Ajiva and is in two parts: Lokakasha, in which life and matter subsist and Alokakasha, which is completely void, empty, an abyss of nothing. Dharma, Adharma and Akasha are thus the necessary conditions or medium for subsistence of all things, Akasha affording the room, Dharma making it possible for them to move or to be moved and Adharma to rest: all are interpene trating. Dharma and Adharma are co-extensive with Lokakasha, the world and therefore, no soul or any particle of matter can
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