Some Problems in Jaina Psychology

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Karnatak University Dharwar

Page 72

THE SENSE ORGANS AND THE SENSES
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although it is possible to say that in all cases the antaranga refers to the psychic element present in the sense organs and necessary for sense experience. However, it would be more appropriate to speak of the antaranga of the material sense organ in terms of the material only; and, in that sense, it would be apter to say that the antaranga of the dravyendriya refers to the matter that is inside the sense organ and is permeated by the psychic element. For instance, we compare this to the cornea of the eye. In fact, we may also include the vitreous humour in the eye.
The bhāvendriya, the psychic part of the sense organ, is also divided into two parts: (i) labdhi, and (ii) upayoga.19 Labdhi is the manifestation of the specific sense experience due to the destruction and subsidence of the knowledge-obscuring karma. In fact, it may be said to refer to the removal of the psychic impediments which have to be eliminated if sense experience is to be possible. These impediments are not physical. like insufficiency of light in the case of vision, but psychic, in the case of the sense experience itself. Upayoga is the psychic force determining the specific sense experience coming out of the contact of the specific sense organ with the object of stimulation. It is the force of horme operating in all psychic life and especially operating in a specific way in the determination of the sense experience. The word horme has been used ealier as the psychic force which determines our experience and behaviour. This force operates in a specific sense experience, like sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Although upayoga is the common force necessary for all these experiences, it gives rise to different experiences in the different senses, because it gets specific expressions from the physiological and psychic conditions differently presented. A general table of the distinction of the structure of the sense organs is given in table 2. It is based on the analysis of the structure of the sense organs as given by the Jainas. The details of the structure are worked out on the basis of the description given by Umāsvāti in Tattvārthasūtra20 Chapter II.
Thus, the Jainas make a distinction between the physical structure and the psychic element involved in the sense organs. The physical part is the organ itself. It is the physiological instrument through which the individual receives the sense impressions. The outer part of the structure is the protective organ. It also facilitates the reception of the external stimulation. The internal part of the structure refers to the sensory nerves and the humours as in the case of the eye.
19 Acārārga-Sutra, 2.a and Prajñā panā, l 'labdhi upayoga bhävendriyam'. 20 (al Tattvärtha Sūtra, Ch. II. Sūtras, 16, 17 and 18.
(b) Also refer to Abhidhānarījendra, Vol. 2. p. 445. (c) Tarkasamgraha, Ed. by Athalye. Notes at the end. (d) Prmānamimāṁsā, I. 21, 22, 23.