Is Time a Replica of Space?

The Difference between Time and Space in the Padārthadharmasaṃgraha

Abstract

There is great similarity between time (kāla) and space (diś) in the Vaiśeṣika category system accomplished by Praśastapāda. These terms are defined as eternal and all-pervading substances, that cause everything that has an origin because their functions are like mathematical coordinates. However, there are some differences between them. Praśastapāda proclaimed that only time is the cause of origin (utpatti), duration (sthiti), and destruction (vināśa), and Wilhelm Halbfass asked why Praśastapāda did not repeat this statement with regard to space. To answer that question, I investigate the two unique notions, temporal point (kālapradeśa) and spatial point (dikpradeśa). In Praśastapāda’s Padārthadharmasaṃgraha, action is explained as conjunction and disjunction with spatial points. On the other hand, a temporal point seems to have a particular relationship to origin, duration and destruction, although Praśastapāda did not expressly refer to this relationship. I infer that this ignorance results from the difficulty of applying the spatial theory of conjunction and disjunction to time and temporal point. Praśastapāda probably tried to explain origin, duration and destruction using the notion of temporal point, but he must have abandoned this idea.