Microcosmology Atom in Jain Philosophy and Modern Science

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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Microcosmology : Atom ultimatic Reality of which is self-evident. It is the central conception of Jain thought. Life and consciousness are co-extensive. Wherever there is life, there is consciousness, and the vice versa, But there are degrees of explicitness or manifestations of cetanā in different organisms. In the lowest class of organisms, it is very much latent; while in human beings, it is very much manifest. It is entirely distinct from all inanimate existence. Characteristic qualities viz colour, odour, etc. inherent in physical existence have no relevance in the case of jīva, and hence, it cannot be cognized by sense-perception. Cetanā manifests itself in several ways : intuition, perception (cognitive elements), emotions, will, attitide and behaviour, awareness of pleasure and pain.
(UNION OF) SOUL AND BODY
Every animate organism is an organic union of non-physical jīva -soul – and physical body. This is the state of soul in mundane existence. But in the state of emancipation, (or mokşa which literally means freedom) the union of the self (soul) with the non-self (body) ends once and for all. In both these states, the existence of jīva is real. Bondage in not merely empirical, and emancipation does not mean total cessation of the individual jiva but freedom from passions, cycles of births and deaths and worldly existence. It is the pure and perfect state of the SELF-the same old self which was once in bondage.
Emancipation presupposes contamination (which in itself is beginningless) of the self by non-self called kārmic matter or karma śarīra.
It is beyond the scope of this book to discuss the modus operandi of karma comprising the processess of attraction, assimilation, rise, fruition and dissociation of kārmic matter. Suffice to say here that the association of self and non-self generates passions and the passions reaffirm the association. The Doctrine of Karma explains the diversities and inequalities that undeniably exist in the world. Worldly happiness or misery, good or bad health, high or low status, riches and poverty of an individual are all results of karma. But the soul can free itself from the contamination and become emancipated. Until then, the soul and body interact and a change in one (or the other) always involves both physical and