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THE SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS OF JAINISM
Table 4.2 Classification of matter.
Name
Definition
Examples
O U.P. | Fine-fine
2 Fine 3 Fine-Gross
Ultimate particle "Atoms" formed from U.P.'s Karmons, Range of karmic body
to karmic capsule, Nuclear
energy, Electricity. "Molecules" from karmons Karmic matter. Can be perceived but are Sound, Heat. not visible. Can be perceived but can Light. not be grasped. Combines itself without exter- Gases (?)/Liquid nal material. All the rest.
Solid.
4 Gross-fine
5 Gross
6 Gross-gross
depending upon the degree of compactness of the U.P.'s in space (see Zaveri, 1975, pp.58-61).
As the soul has its characteristics of life including bliss, energy, knowledge and perception elements, matter has its characteristics of lifelessness, touch, flavour, smell and colour.
The important principle is that each quality produced by elementary particles undergoes constant changes of mode along its respective continuum. Thus, matter and energy may be regarded as one and the same thing, i.e. sound, light, heat etc. are matter but their mode is energy. These Jain concepts of matter and energy do not seem to include all the concepts of Modern Physics but nevertheless, these are compatible (see, Chapter 10). On the other hand, Jain Science explains the phenomenon of Mind over Matter. It shows how finer karmic matter from karmons and the soul are interrelated.
The soul. Occupied space contains an infinite number of souls. Each soul has an uncountable number of space points but exists within the physical limits of its current corporeal shape. Liberated souls are all distinct and are not under constraints of time, dynamic or stationary forces and are on the highest point of the boundary between occupied space and unoccupied space. The highest point on the boundary is perhaps similar to a black hole in the sense that the standard laws of physics are not applicable in a black hole. When all karmic matter, even the finest (fine-fine), is removed, the soul will move to this highest point. The soul now attains infinite bliss, energy, knowledge and perception.
Note that in Jain, the mind is regarded as the sixth sense, made up of matter which acts as a processor of input from five senses and it
