________________
(176) Nandanavana
with their static and dynamic nature and has suggested that a reality consists of a blend of both of them. It does not have an exclusive nature. It has inclusive nature. This Jaina definition of reality has accommodated the entire exclusivist attitude and has made the definition as accurate as possible.
Review of General Properties
It will be appropriate here if we could compare the general definition with the modern scientific definition of matter. Scientists define matter with three common attributes: (a) It should have weight (b) It should occupy space, i.e. it should have a form or volume and (c) it must be subject to our experience and knowledge. As we have seen, Jainas have counted only two of them as common properties. They have not counted weight as a characteristic property, but they have many others, which the scientific definition does not have. Comparatively, the scientific definition of matter seems to be too crude to be called accurate. The Jaina definition is more illustrative of the basic general properties indicating the particulate nature, constant motion, changeability, insensibility and other coexisting properties, The non-inclusion of weight as a common property by the Jainas might be due to the fact that they assumed energies like light, heat etc. to be material which did not seem to posses the property of weight together with other non-material realities. Though there is a property called aguru-laghutva (neither-heavy-nor-light) indicating some idea about possession of very small weight, which could undergo infinitesimal changes, but the basic paramāņu (ideal atom) of matter has been described as devoid of weight. Recent researches, however suggest that however small it might be, energies must have weight equivalent as per Einstein's equation. Even if we presume Jain's15 point of equating electrons as Jaina atoms, they have already been weighted. The scientists are trying to detect particles like neutrinos or gravitational energy and they have every hope that even in these cases, this equation will hold and they will prove it to be material. Thus, the weightlessness should be taken to mean very small or negligible weight rather than complete absence of weight.
Muni Mahendra Kumarji" - II has pointed out that the scriptures describe the basic unit of matter---paramāņu of Jaina philosophy to be of two varieties - one with four tactile qualities and the other with
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
