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to ask and urge my friend to adopt the teachings of our Shastras, though it depends upon the choice of the latter to accept it or not. You may hold whatever views you may like, but it will never separate us. We are not separate just as the pleaders taking up the cases of opposing clients are not separate.
We advance in knowledge and experience of the physical world, as we advance in years and consequently the time left at our disposal for their practical use shortens itself with the progress of our age, and hence we the Jainas do not see any reason for birthday congratulations; and this is more applicable to the case of a person like your self who is daily and constantly adding to the store of his knowledge and always aspires to do good and really useful work for humanity.
The attention of the European giants is now generally directed towards the material progress of the world which adds more to human luxury and less to human happiness. Those who attempt to further the progress of humanity by attaining self-perfection themselves and inducing others to do the same by supplying them materials (in the form of advice and the example of their own deeds) to work with, are in my humble opinion, true workers and philanthrophists.
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