Mahavira and his Teaching

Author(s): C C Shah, Rishabhdas Ranka, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir 2500th Nirvan Mahotsava Samiti

Page 242

CONSIDERATION OF SELF IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
B. J. Jhaveri Jaina philosophy of Self contributes uniquely to worldphilosophy in general and Indian philosopủy in particular in its propounding a reconciliation between materialism and spiritualism. Jaina philosophy is one with other philosophies of spirit in establishing the supremacy of inner and subtle reality over that of gross and bodily sense-organs. The significance of Jaina view of Self is to be evaluated looking at the times when it was put forward. On the one hand there was scepticism looming large in the minds of people and on the other hand there was one sided spiritualism being advocated by certain Upanishadic thinkers. Jainism during such a critical time steered clear of two extreme positions and forged successfully the unity of body and self and upheld the pervasive nature of consciousness in the body.
What is the nature of self? Is it identical with what we mean by the terms body, mind and intelligence? Is it superior to mind-body complexity? Is it ultimately one or many? Is it identical with consciousness? These are some of the questions raised often by people searching for the knowledge and reality of the universe. Metaphysics is an attempt to know the reality underlying our day-to-day living and experience.
No new data are unwelcome in metaphysics provided they are true and open to verification. Just as natural and social sciences are dependent upon well found out data which can be felt perceptually or inferred on perceptual grounds, in like manncr philosophy or metaphysics articulates its system and arrives at conclusions regarding the nature of Rcality as a whole while relying upon experiences such as physical aesthetic, intellectual, moral, cultural and spiritual. Every human being possesses needs, desires and implicit sense of values to feel and appreciate
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