The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c4.s4: The Atomic Theory of the Buddhists
The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c4.s4
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The Atomic Theory of the Buddhists
c4.s4.1
The Buddhists recognise four essentials of matter, viz. extension (with hardness), cohesion (with fluidity), heat, and pressure (with motion), and four sensibles, viz. colour, taste, smell, and touch (*vide* Dhamma-saṅgani, Attha-sáliní, etc.).
c4.s4.2
The later Vaibháshikas hold that the Váyu-atoms are touch-sensibles, having impact or pressure for their characteristic property, and by aggregation form the element Váyu; the Tejas-atoms are colour-and-touch-sensibles, having heat for their characteristic, and by aggregation form the Tejas Bhúta; the Ap-atoms are taste-colour-and-touch-sensibles with a characteristic viscosity, and form the Ap-element by aggregation; and finally, the Earth-atoms are smell-taste-colour-and-touch-sensibles possessing a characteristic dryness or roughness (खरत्व), and by their aggregation form the Earth-element. The Bhútas thus originated combine to form aggregates, which are classed as inorganic substances, organisms, and organs. (कामेण्डद्रव्यकोश्या:,—रूपरसगन्धस्पर्शा इति चत्वारि द्रव्याणि पृथिव्यप्तेजोवायुः इति चत्वारि,—also खरस्नेहोष्णोरणस्वभावानि भूतानि).