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Jaina Philosophy
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they have the characteristic of astitva (existence) and kayatva (extension).. Jiva, Dharma, Adharma and Akasa do not possess the characteristic of samyoga (conjuction) and Vibhaga (disjunction), These disjunctions are denoted by means of atoms. If we imagine extension, if possible of the four substances, we find that Jiva, dharma, adharma have innumerable parts; while Akasa is indivisible and endless. Pudgala is divisible and the last point of division of matter is the atom. Atom can be considered as micro-cosm and the cosmos can be looked at an macro-cosmic. It is mentioned as mahaskandha as it pervades the entire universe.
Pudgala (matter is a substance and it can be classified into four distinctions: 1) Skandha (aggregate), 2. Skandhadesa (aggregate occupying space), 3) Skandha-pradesa (aggregate occupying limited space) and 4) Paramäņu (atom).29 The unit of formed matter (mūrta dravya) is skandha. It is the aggregate of atoms. It may be considered to be a molecule. It may be constituted of two atoms, three atoms or a number of atoms. Such an aggregate of atoms is a unit. This can be measured by mental construction and it is called skandha desa. The inseparable unit of a skandha is called skandha pradeśa. Parananu is the indivisible point of matter which is the minimal limit. Atoms constitute the universe and atoms combine into various forms in order to form the objects. Jaina theory of atomism is very ancient because Jainism is based on its theory of atomism and matter. 80
Paramänu is indivisible. It is indestructible, inaccessible to senses and it cannot be further divided. The description of the characteristics of an atom as given by the Jainas may raise certain difficulties in the light of the study of atom in modern science. Modern science has shown that atom can be split. But if paramapu is indivisible, is it possible to go below this limit or above it for the sake of finding out whether there is any possibility of understanding the concept of the splitting of the atoms. In the Anuyogadvåra we get a satisfactory answer to the problem of splitting of atoms in the modern science. It has been suggested that paramaņu is of two forms : 1. sūkşma paramanu (subtle atom) and 2 Vyavahara paramaņu (paramanu in the practical sense).31, Sūkşma paramaņu is indivisible and indestructible. Vyavahara
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