Role of Space Time in Jainas Syadavada and Quantum Theory

Author(s): Filita Bharucha
Publisher: Shri Satguru Publications

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Role of Space-Time in Jaina's Syadväda
acts and is acted upon. It is both an experient (bhokta) and an agent (karta). Its intrinsic nature is one of perfection and it is characterized by infinite intelligence, infinite peace, infinite faith and infinite power. One of the curious features of Jainism is the belief in the variable size of the jiva in its empirical condition. It is capable of expansion and contraction according to the dimensions of the physical body with which it is associated for the time being.
Finishing the discussion of the Jiva we shall concentrate on the ajiva because of its relevance to space and time.
(2) Ajiva–The category of ajiva is divided into kala (time), akasa, dharma and adharma (which together may for our purpose be regarded as standing for 'space') and pudgala (matter). The essential distinction from the jiva is that they, as such lack life and consciousness. Of these time is infinite. But there are cycles in it, each cycle having two eras of equal duration described as the avasarpini and the utsarpini a metaphor drawn from the revolving wheel. The former is the descending era in which the reverse take place. The present era is stated to be the former. Space which also is infinite is conceived of as being in two parts-one (alokakasa) where movement is possible and the other (alokakasa) where it is not. Whatever is, only in the former and the latter is empty akasa, an abyss of nothing, stretching infinitely beyond it. The changes or modes are known as paryayas, which as distinguished from the enduring substance, come into being, persist for at least one instant and then disappear. The term dravya or 'substance'is applied to the six entities mentioned above-the jiva and the ajiva with its five-fold division. The dravyas, excepting time alone, are called asti-kayas, a term which means that they are real in the sense just explained (asti) and possess by infinite intelligence, infinite peace, infinite faith and infinite power.