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Pudgula and Paramanu, The Atomic Theory of Jainism
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by Jayaram VStrange it may seem, thousands of years before the
west came outwith its quantum theory, the ancient Indians thought
of theexistence of atoms as the building block of matter. Reference
tomatter consisting of atoms appear not only in some schools of
Hinduphilosophy such as the Nyaya Vaisheshika School, but also
inJainism, which regards matter as the aggregate of atoms and as
thesource of bondage and the cause of all karma.The original nature
of Jiva is a pristine state, a mass of pureconsciousness, devoid of
any coarseness or grossness which itdevelops as it enters the
mundane world and becomes subject to thelaws of karma. Since matter
carreid such an important influence inthe lives of the individual
jivas, the Jain monks considered it astheir duty to study matter in
its various aspects and work out a
possible solution to over come its impact.The atomic theory of
Jainism was thus a product of deep enquiry into
the mysteries of the material world, not just some idle
curiosity of
some bored monkhood, for in that revelation was also hidden
thesolution to the problem of the suffering humanity. Some details
ofthe atomic theory of Jainism are mentioned below.The matter is
referred as pudugala in Jainism. It is considered tobe an aggregate
of individual atoms (paramanu) coming together.Depending upon the
nature of atoms involved, matter assumes varyingdegrees of fineness
or coarseness and accordingly impacts the livesof various jivas
which are caught in the mire of samasara and the
inviolable laws of karma.An atom is without any point, without a
beginning and without anend. It is eternal, can neither be created
nor destroyed. It isinvisible, imperceptible. Only the adepts can
perceive it throughtheir all knowing vision.Atoms of unlike nature
come together to form a skanda or a kind ofcompound atom. All the
objects in the world are various types ofcompound atoms only, while
the world itself is a much biggeraggregate of atoms and skandas.
The atoms are subject to two typesof motion, a simple motion from
one one point to another and amotion from one condition to another
or one state to another.Sometimes atoms can travel with incredible
velocity and traverse the
entire universe in the blink of an eye. The Jains believe that
atoms
are uniform in nature, but by coming together in varying degrees
and
combinations they produce a multitude of material things.The
souls are not made up of matter, but are bound by it in
theirmundane state. They cannot escape from the contact with matter
tillthey liberate themselves through good conduct, performance
ofausterities and pure living. The ultimate aim of every follower
ofJainism is to become free from all possible contact with
matter.
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Suggested Further ReadingJainism and the theory of karmaThe
Nyaya Vaisheshika School of ThoughtJainism, the theory of stand
pointsJainism, the theory of syadavada or saptabhangi
Wednesday , September 21, 2011
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