How Time is defined in Jainism?

 

Jain philosophical discussion about time as a parameter often use two words: kaal and samay. Jain measurement of time starts with samay (a small unit of time) as the indivisible unit of kaal. Kaal usually means a period of time of certain length. In all the Jain Angas, one phrase is common “Tenam kaalenam tenam samayenam”. This means in that kaal and in that samay. Samay is conventional (empirical – vyavahar) and the other is Kaal (transcendental – nischay/parmarth). Vyavahar kaal is that which help to produce changes in substance and which is known from modification (produced in substance), while parmarthika (nischay) kaal is understood from continuity (Dravyasangraha gatha 21).

Describing real time, Mahavir said “vattana lakhano kalo” (Uttaradhyan sutra, ch.28). The nature or essence of time is past, present and future. Time is the necessary condition of duration, change, motion, newness and oldness. Real time is that which assists the changes produced in substance. Samay is ‘linear time’ which has a beginning and end. Kaal is a cyclical time; eternal, void of form and without beginning or end.

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