Scientific Foundations Of Jainism

SR No.: 022772
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K V Mardia
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt Ltd
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 146
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 32

10
THE SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS OF JAINISM
1. Knowledge, 2. Perception, 3. Bliss, and 4. Energy.
We will call these the four soul elements. The first two elements are cognitive functions of the soul and represent conciousness'. Bliss is a state which includes compassion' and 'total self-sufficiency'. Energy is an abstract force which powers the operation of the knowing and perceiving qualities of the soul. (Note that one of the words used in Jainism for soul is 'Jiva', i.e. living part.)
2.2.2 Karmons and Karmic Matter
Karmic matter consists of sub-atomic karmic particles which will be called karmons by us. These karmons float freely and randomly in space but they do not interact between each other. (Presumably the gravitational force is very small.) Among all sub-atomic particles, karmons are unique in the sense that they can only be absorbed by the soul, and cannot fuse by themselves, i.e. karmic matter as "molecules" of karmons exist only in conjunction with the soul. Thus karmic matter increases by absorbing new karmons and decreases by dropping some karmons in space.
2.2.3 Interaction
In its purest state, the soul has infinite knowledge, perception, bliss and energy. The soul is sentient energy but in general, as this axiom states, it is polluted by the karmic matter. The interaction of two highly contradictory elements, soul and karmic matter, could lead to severe distortion. In particular, the karmic matter
(i) obscures the knowledge element of the soul, (ii) obscures the perception element of the soul,
(iii) defiles the bliss element of the soul, and (iv) obstructs the energy element of the soul. Thus, due to karmic matter, one does not get the full advantage of the soul's pure qualities.
Note that bliss is the only element of the soul which gets transformed into something else; this transformation is analogous to changes in oneself under the influence of intoxication. This defilement in turn perverts the energy element. However, karmic matter can only survive in the soul, but the soul is self-supporting and has an inherent tendency to be free from karmic matter including the embodiment. This inherent tendency of the soul will be called the 'freedom longing catalyst.