Property of Matter in Jain Canons

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Z_Kailashchandra_Shastri_Abhinandan_Granth_012048.pdf

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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 : (aIt 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 definition is more illustrative of the basic general properties indicating the particulate nature, constant motion, changeablity, 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 possess the property of weight together with other nonmaterial realities. Though there is a property called agurulaghutva (neither heavy nor light) indicating some idea about possession of very small weight which could undergo infinitesmal changes, but the basic parmaņu of matter has described as devoid of weight. Recent researches, however suggest that however small it might be, energies must have weight euivalent as per Einstein's equation. Even if we presume Jain's 15 point of equating electrons as atoms, they have already been weighted. The scientists are trying to detect particles like nutrinos 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 Mahendrakumarji12 11 has pointed out that the scriptures describe the basic unit of matter-parmanu of Jain philosophy to be of two varieties--one with four tactile qualities and the other with eight tactile qualities. The first type does have no weight property while the other has it. This only means that one of these (the first one) should be energy while the other should be matter of the present. It can be surmised that interconversion of these types must be occurring in nature especially the energy into matter. The modern scientists are trying to explain the process. Anyhow, whether it is energy or matter, both must have shape or visibility and thus weight also howsoever small it may be. According to Muniji, this point has a capability of solving many intricate problems arising out of various theories of Universe.
The other common properties not indicated in the scientific definition of matter are very important as they have a clear concept of law of conservation of mass and energy and kinetic state of basic unit. This point has been elaborated elsewhere.14 The modern scientific world of East and West is still unaware of these cannonical contents and history of Chemistry books have no mention about them as yet. An effort should be made to let these facts be known through proper means.
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