Theory of Atom in Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Agam and Sahitya Prakashan

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THE JAINA PHILOSOPHY by its rationality In short, science inspite of its spectacular achievements, did never become a new religion here as it in effect did in the West
Systematization of Jain philosophy is comparatively a recent event though it had its moorings in the canonical literature ie Agamas According to Jain belief, the doctrines promulgated by Bhagvan Mahā vira, whose 2500th Nirvana Anniversary is being celebrated this year, are even more ancient and were preached by a succession of 23 Tirthankaras thousands of years before him The earliest Jain literature, though not extant, is much more ancient than Bhagvan Mahavir Commentaries on Āgamas and independent treatises by great savants between 8th to 12th centures systematised and connected the divergent elements into logical doctones remarkable for their onginality, acuteness and-subtelety
Jain philosophy does not swear by mysticism, though it culminates in it But the mysticism is not the result of dogmatic faith Philosophical speculation is a necessary discipline of the mind for attenuating doubts But the ultimate truth cannot be realised by philosophical discipline alone The terminus of philosophy is the beginning of spiritual career The plenum of knowledge can be attained by the development of a superior power of vision which is not satisfied with the negative findings of reason and seeks infinite perfection. “The Jains are emphatic that omniscience is the condition as well the result of perfection and however much we may advance in our philosophical enquiry and scientific pursuit, which are not antagonistic in their aim inspite of their difference in method and lines of approach, it