Book Title: Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons
Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Page 395
________________ Definition of Living : 373 consciousness in these cases. The two terms of "Vijña' and 'Veda' in Bhagavati convey sense of consciousness. The same is true for Kundakunda's two terms - upayoga and Cetana having similar meanings. One, however, finds a difference in the meaning of the terms 'Cetā' and 'Cetană' in Bhagavati which mean collector of karma particles rather than consciousness. Assuming Bhagavati as the older canon, one may infer consciousness was evidently not a basic property of the living in early philosophical development. Does this mean that the Jainas had similar views with NV theory in the beginning in this regard ? When was this concept of concommittant consciousness evolved in Jaina philosophy ? This needs a further academic scrutiny. The use of two terms - Upayoga and Cetanā – characterising the living seems to bear some impression in this regard. By mentioning 'speech' also among the attributes of living, Dhavalā has slightly differed in this regard. Because speech is specific for human beings rather than general living beings. Ācārya Umāsvāti23 and Kundakunda — both stated two types of characteristics. The former mentioned five types of volitional or thought activities ( the last one including all general attributes in current terms ) and Upayoga. Pujyapāda24 defined 'Jivatva' as consciousness. To him, all living beings have inherently a life element or consciousness. It may have two aspects – capacitative and functional. It is subjected to various types of volitional activities due to realisation, subsidence and destruction of fine kārmic particles and inherence. The activities also prove material nature of the living as they are related with mind-endowed consciousness. These activities include 53 types of actvity of physical and psychical nature. The canons describe six types of such volitional activities25. Their details are summarised by Umāsvāti as shown in Table 3. Many activities are common in a number of volitional activities representing their different degree and status. These are various expressions of element of consciousness through its Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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