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With this in view, the Jain Association of India was formed in 1882. Its main objectives were : 1) To knit closely the Jain community and bring about
social and moral reforms. 2) To look after the religious trusts and religious funds
of the Jains. 3) To move to stop the killing of animals. 4) To see that pilgrims had proper conveniences in
places of pilgrimage - and such others. Only two years after the formation, Shri Virchand Gandhi was unanimously appointed as the secretary of the organisation. AT THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS AT CHICAGO
In the history of India, kings like Ashoka and Akbar used to respect religious scholars belonging to religions other than their own.
Such scholars were felicitated and honoured at religions conferences. These conferences were like smaller editions of The Parliament of Religions that was convened at Chicago(in America) in the last years of the 19th century.
This conference was invalueable from the point of view of history and also because of the perfect order with which it was conducted. Representatives of various religions from different countries all over the world got together for the first time. The efficiency with which it was organised and managed made it a unique assembly in world history. More than three thousand delegates atended the conference. The aims of the conference included spreading the knowledge about various religions, bringing together the followers of different religions, enhancing this friendliness through healthy
.
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