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Modern Psychical Research has recognised the possibility of the possession of extra-sensory perception like that of avadhi in some individuals. The psychic phenomenon called 'French sensitiveness', sometimes called as 'psychometry', may be included as a form of avadhi, although the mind and the sense organs do play their part. Modern Psychical research has accepted the fact of clairvoyant cognition. Eminent philosophers like Sidwick, Price and C. D. Broad, have admitted the existence of such clairvoyant experiences.
Study of Jainism
In this connection, we are reminded of the enoromous research work being done by the Duke University under the guidance of late Dr. Rhine. But there is a difference in the approaches to this problem by the Western Psychical Research and the Jaina Studies. I had the privilege of corresponding with late Dr. Rhine on this problem. Dr. Rhine's contention was that para-normal experiences like these are accidental in some individuals only. But I believe that para-normal experience are potential in every human being. We have only to remove the impediments to get the same expressed. The impediments may be physiological or psychic due to dispositions. We may interpret the operation of the impediments as the case of the operation of karma. If the karmic impediments are removed, para-normal experiences get expressed.
Manaḥparyaya is the next form of super-normal perception. The Jaina conception of Manaḥparyaya is based on their doctrine of mind. Mind, according to the Jainas, is a particular material substance composed of a specific form of varganas or group of atoms. It is composed of an infinite number of atoms called manovarganas. The finer atoms form the karma Next in finess come the manovarganas. In the Manaḥparyaya, telepathic experience, there is the interaction of mental states; mental states coming into contact with other mental states without the normal channel of communication. It is mind contact between different individuals. Manaḥparyaya cognises mental states of others without the instrumentality of the sense organs.68 The Avasyaka Niryukti mentions that only human beings of character, specially the ascetics. can acquire manaḥparyaya." The Nandisutra gives description of the possibility of Manaḥparyaya for human beings having physical
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