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ATOM IN JAIN PHILOSOPHY 49
existence of these two as ultimate substances is not accepted by any other metaphysical system As science, however, accepts the existence of a substance called ether which assists the propagation of motion, we shall, for the sake of convenience translate these . terms as positive and negative ether respectively
Each is a single, indivisible, homogeneous entity, pervading the entire inhabited universe (loka), but not beyond it In fact, they are the cause of the finiteness of the loka Temporally they are eternal They are devoid of smell, taste, etc and therefore imperceivable by the sense organs Immobile themselves, they assist the motion of mobile objects, positive ether is the medium of dynamic state and the negative ether is for the static state Not even the minutest vibration is possible without these media Hence where there is no ether there is neither psychic nor material existence
(4) A kāsāstikāya-space According to Jains, space is an objective reality It is the container of all other substances It is boundless--infinite Ethers and other substances do not inhabit the whole space as they are finite That portion of space which is inhabited by other substances is called loka or active universe ? Loka is finite and is surrounded in all directions by Aloka or inert, empty spacema boundless void & Actually, the space is one indivisible entity The ethers determine the boundaries of the Lokākāshà by their own finiteness
? Kimiyani bhanle ! Loyen pavvuchchan ? Panchārhikāya, casa main eranije lojetí parkachchai, lañjaha-dhammathikâye jāra puggalāthihaye,-Bhagran Sürra, 13-4-13
8 Sialakşanam hi lokasya şaddryasamājārmaktan alokasya kevalari, akasärmakatvam
-Pravachanasara 2-36 Pradipikāyrın
