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( 86 ) Santarakṣita refers to a view of Ācārya Sūri, a Jaina - philosopher, in the course of refuting the doctrine of the thing by itself" (sva bhavavāda ), which throws light on the Jaina conception of the pature of the Universe. But to understand that reference it would be best to know first the context on which it is based. It provides a common ground to the Buddhist and Jaina Logicians, as they are not in favour of Svabhavavada.. According to this doctrine, as shown in the Tattasangraha and
other books, things originate neither from themselves nor from any other things. They are not dependent on causes. Tu prove this theory the bolder of this view queries, 'Who makes the diversity in the lotus and its Allament ? By whom have the variegated wings of the peacock and such things been created - Such arguments can be raised about other things too. For instance, the sharpness and other properties of a thorn or any other thing must be regarded as uncaused, since they are around us due to the influence of nature.95
Against this view, Sāntarak ita argues that if you do not postulate any cause, your view cannot be accepted, as nothing can be proved without adequate evidence. He then supports his arguments with those of Acārya Sūri. He says that Acārya Sūri, a Jaina philosopher, also upholds the same objection in the theory of "thing by itsell", as he says, "One who declares that there is no cause would demolish his own conclusion, if he adduced any reasons in support of his assertion; on the other hand, if he were also to adduce reasons what could be gained by mere assertion 1.96
Here the view of Sūri referred to by Santarakṣita appears. to be in conformity with Jainism. The theory of Svabhavao vada is accurate as far as the opposition to the theory tbat a God controls the universe is concerned, but if it carries the meaning of ahetuskavada, it cannot be admitted by the Jaina philosophy. According to this theory, the world possesses innumerable causes which have innumerable effects by nature, but its development requires some other material also. For Instance, the clay can produce the jar, but it also depends op
