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discussions, exchanging ideas regarding literature, art and commerce, and bringing people together for World Peace.
A Jain monk Rev. Atmanandji (later called Rev Acharya Vijyanandasuri) was invited in 1892 to attend this conference as a representative of Jainism. Atmanandaji was famous in Europe and America as a scholar over and above being known to be a public servant of the community. This was the background behind the invitation. A report published after the conference was held says:
"No man has so peculiarly identified himself with the interests of the Jain community as Muni Atmaramji. He is one of the noble bands sworn from the day of initiation to the end of life to work day and night for the high mission they have undertaken. He is the high priest of the Jain community and is recognized as the highest living 'Authority' on Jain religion and Literature."
Atmaramji requested to be excused from attending the conference because by travelling by any vehicle, including a ship, he would violate the tenet of travelling on foot, mandatory for Jain monks. The organisers, therefore, suggested as an alternative, that he send a paper regarding the Jain philosophy to the conference so that the attending delegates could get an idea of the fundamentals of Jainism. A treatise called 'Chicago Questions and Answers' was prepared. When the book was sent to the organisers, they were so impressed that they requested Atmaramji to send another suitable scholar as the Jain representative. As a result of this enthusiasm, Shri Virchandbhai Gandhi was selected. Before going to Chicago, Virchandbhai stayed for six months with Atmaramji and equipped himself with deep knowledge of the Jain religion.
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