Studies in Jainism

Author(s): M P Marathe, Meena A Kelkar, P P Gokhle
Publisher: Indian Philosophical Quarterly Publication Puna

Page 34

CONCEPT OF MATTER IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
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cture of elements of matter of Jaina philosophy with those of other Indian systems of thought. The Jaina concept of matter, when compared with that of hyle or ylem 122 of Greek Philosophy shows that originally the name elementary particle' was applied to the four elements only fire, earth, air and water. The Jaina conception of elements of matter appears to be unique for it has given place to indriyas ( senses )123, karmic matter, 124 and leśyā (condition of soul) 123 also as the material elements in its fold on the basis of psycho-physical aspects of the material universe. The study of the order of elements of matter reveals that Jaina philosphy commenced with the conception of grossest from of matter and went deep into that of its finest form the subtile force by stages in dealing with the problem like general metaphysics and physics of the west. Some common elements of matter of earth science are found in Jaina physics and mod physical sciences, such as silicon, sulphur, iron, copper, tin, lead, silver, gold, etc. 126 It shows that like the alchemists of the middle ages the Jainācāryas also conceived the idea of pure elements of matter as distinguished from its base forms, based on the knowledge of their experimental study of making gold, silver, etc. 127 Properties of Matter
Properties of matter are the characteristic qualities. According to Jaina metaphysics, matter is endowed with specific chracters of two kinds : (1) those which are inherent in paramānus and skandhas and (2) those which are found only in skandhas, matter is characterized by colour, taste, odour and touch from ten points of view of bhāva 123 ( condition). They are inh in paramānus as well as skandhas as specific properties.129 In addition to them a skandha having two upto infinitefold infinite pradeśas (units of matter is possessed of the physical characters, mutual attraction ( snigdhatva ) and repulsion (rūksatva )130, fineness and grossnes $131, shape and figure 132, divisibility133, opacity and casting of shadows134, and heat and light-energy133. They appear, of course, as the manifestations of matter in Jaina philosophy. In the philosophies like Vaisesika, etc. the corporeal substances, viz. earth, water, fire and air have not been accepted as equally endowed with the four specific characters as mentioned in Jaina philosophy, but it has been