Studies in Jainism

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

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STUDIES IN JAINISM
There is no possibility of expansion of lokā kāśa (universespace). There are two reasons for this. First, the lokākāśa has fixed number of space-points and these space-points cannot expand or contract. Secondly, lokākāía can expand provided loka (universe) expands, and loka can expand provided the bodies get exploded and thrown into ākāía which was till then cmply; but this possibility has no room in Jainism because according to this system the medium of motion is necessary for bodies to move from one place to another, and this medium of motion is not present in empty space, it is confined to the universe only. So no body crosses the limits of universe set up by the medium of motion. Thus universe is not expanding and hence universe-space is also not expanding.
One may pose here another question : 'Does the universe s a whole move in the empty space with the result that though universe-space is fixed in its extension, this universe-space is not the smae for ever ?' He may further ask that as dharma (medium of motion) and adharma (medium of rest) pervade the universe they cannot move in the Universe, nor do they as individuals pecl themselves off the universe and slip into the non-universe because they constitute the nature of the universe, but what prevents them from moving with the universe in the empty space? These questions have not occurred to the Jaina thinkers and hence they have not answered them.
The loka (universe) is of the form of a standing human trunk with two feet apart and two hands on hip28. So, secondarily the lokākāśa (universe-space) may also be said to possess this form. Usually the formless is said to assume the form of its container. But there the formless container is said to assume the form of its content. Of course, lokā kāśa cannot be said to assume this form at some point of time.
Like the areas (divisions) of Time Cycles, the different regions of lokākāśa are characterised by the different degrees of pleasure or happiness. As we go higher and higher from the lowest region of the lokākāśa the degree of happiness increases. The degree of happiness in the lowest region of lokākāśa is almost nil, whereas the degree of happiness in the highest regions of lokākāśa is the highest--ananta. A living being becomes more and more happy if he enters higher and higher regions of lokākāśa, but for the entry he should earn the passport by his meritorious deeds. By