Outlines of Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Mohanlal Mehta
Publisher: Jain Mission Society Bangalore

Page 33

CONCEPTION OF REALITY
śūnya, i.e., devoid of plurality. Some scholars are of the view that the word śünya is synonymous with Nihilism and they draw the conclusion that the school of Madhyamika Buddhism is nihilistic. According to the opinion of other scholars, this conception is not correct. They are of the opinion that the word Śūnya must be interpreted in the sense of svabhāva-śünya and prapañca-śünva. As it is remarked by an eminent exponent of the system: “The Buddha preached Reality (dharma) considering the two types of Truth. The first type is the Phenomenal Truth and the second one is the Noumenal Truth.'1 The empirical world is the phenomenal reality, while the Ultimate Truth is the noumenal reality. “The Ultimate Truth is intuitional, peaceful, devoid of plurality, indeterminate, and one. This is the nature of Reality.'?
YOGĀCĀRA SCHOOL OF BUDDHISM
This school is generally known as Vijñānādvaita Vāda. According to it, as is generally believed, only Momentary Ideas are real. It is only because of this belief that the system is regarded as Subjective Idealism. But this view is not correct. The doctrine of Momentary Ideas is tenable only in the case of phenomenal reality. The conception of momentariness is necessary to reach the Ultimate Reality. If the phenomenal reality is not conceived as momentary, our approach to the Highest Reality is not possible.
The Highest Reality is the Universal Consciousness (ālayavijñāna) according to the Lankāvatāra-sūtra. The Reality which is grasped by the four categories of thought is only phenomenal.3 The Highest Reality is unchanging, calm, and permanent. It is beyond the four categories of thought. It is beyond the duality of subject and object. By mere analysis we cannot grasp Reality. Thus, it is indescribable and devoid of any explanation.
1 Madhyamika-kār:kā, XXIV. S. 2 ibid., XVIII. 9. 3 Lankāvatāra-sūtra, p. 188. 4 Catuskotre'inirinukta. 5 Grāhyagrāhakatinirmukta. 6 Lankavatāra-sútra, p. 116.