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

View full book text
Previous | Next

Page 411
________________ Definition of Living : 389 To find the equivalent term for the word 'mana' has always been a problem. It is equated generally with current mind. However, when the question of physical and psychical mind comes in the way, it is the brain which is equated with physical mind. The psychical mind is precursor energetic source of brain functions. This equation leads to existence of psychical mind among the non-5-sensed living beings. Could it be canonically correct? The author feels it could be a better plea for this problem than assuming transformation or modification of soul into senses. How a non-material soul could do so is a deeper problem for answer. The characteristics of instincts is merely an extension of the basic quality of sensitivity, irritability or consciousness showing its various modes of expressions. It should not be taken as any additional property of the living. The defining of the living through vitalities and completions, however, suggests the material approach for the living. Classification of the Attributes All the attributes of the living found in canons and described above may be termed as specific in current terms. It seems that the term 'dravya' or reality was not a Jaina coin as Kundakunda and Umāsvāti have used 'Astikāya' and 'Tattva' terms for it. The dravyas become real because of their property of permanence through changes. Umāsvāti uses the term 'Dravya' at quite a late stage in chapter 5 of his TS. It could be presumed that the term 'dravya' of NV system was included in Jaina metaphysics at a later stage when this system was having a profound scholastic appeal in the world of seers. This has also been observed by Malvania specially in case of Umāsvātia'. Reality has been elaborated with similarities (general) and dis-similarities ( specifics) by the Vaiśesikas. This has been followed by Umāsvāti. Accordingly, the general definition of reality detailed earlier applies to the living one as it has existentiality, i. e., permanence through change ( birth and Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608