Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s10.t13.7

v1.c7.s10.t13.7

Dravya-padārtha refers to substance of things. Nine substances are Pṛthvī (earth), Ap (water), Tejas (fire), Vāyu (wind), Ākaśa (ether), Kāla (time), Dik (space), Ātman (self) and Manas (mind). Among these nine substances, the first four substances (earth, water, fire and wind) are material elements which are formed by atoms and their compounds. The fifth substance (Ākaśa) refers to spaciousness which is medium of sound transmission. Things could move in this substance. The sixth substance (Kāla) refers to time. And the reason why people realise the concept of present, past, synchronization, non-synchronisation, slowness, and quickness is the existence of this substance. The seventh substance (Dik) refers to space or location. Because of the existence of this substance, people could generate the concept of east, south, west, north, up, and down. The eighth substance (Ātman) refers to individual spirit or subjectivity of consciousness. Different bodies have different selves, and the existence of selves is confirmed by many biological phenomena. The ninth substance (Manas) refers to the link (an internal sense) between self and several external senses. When five senses get in touch with external environments, people sometimes generate cognition, sometimes not. And this is the existence of minds.