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Reality and Matter : Definition, Properties and Classification : 153
Despite this, the Vaiseșika definition of reality (Dravya) seems to be incomplete on Jaina count as it does not include the qualities of sense-perceptibility ( or otherwise ), form, weightlessness, sight etc, in attributes, though they agree to some as separate realities. Nevertheless, they must be given credit to have qualities like elasticity, viscosity which the Jainas do not have. Despite this, Malvania29 points out that the Jaina definition of reality has been influenced by the Vaiseșikas. Classification of Reality
Jainas postulate poly-realism. They have classified their realities with different angles and they range from one to nine (sometimes upto eleven in canons ). From existential point of view, there is only one reality — Sat, which could be taken as expression based on universality of reality. This view does not lead to study them properly. The scriptures classify them in two ways -- (i) conscious (jiva ) and ( i ) non-conscious (ajiva.). This is the basic classification. Their inter-relationships have led to further divisions of reality in terms of (1) Categories or Tattvas seven in number or (ii) Padārthas nine in number and (iii) Dravyas formerly five and later six in number. These divisions seem to be relative ones. When the aim is religious, spiritual or ethical one, they vary between 7 to 11 in number. Umāsvāti30 reduced the canonical number to seven only excluding weal, woe, experiencing and substratum on the assumption of their possible inclusion in other classes ( influx and bondage ). When the aim is to study the physical world, they are five or six only. Thus, Umāsvāti has gone ahead of canons and Kundakunda in giving a concrete shape to the classification of reality which has been followed by later Jaina scholars. The various divisions of Jaina reality is given in Table 7. It is clear that the living and non-living realities form the base for other realities. Philosophers have discussed the possible origin of these two realities in terms of three stages -- concept of elements, concept of livingness originated from specific elemental combination and doctrine of dependant and indepen
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