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Kviii
Lord Mahavira and Hsi Teachings
life in finding a solution of this unhappy state of affairs. The problem of plenty and poverty was uppermost in his mind. He urged generous minded persons to contribute large sums for the welfare and betterment of the aggrieved people. Response was not encouraging; but he was not disheartened. A target for collecting a token fund was fixed; and he decided to forgo milk, if the target was not reached within some days. This decision gingered up all activities: Men, women and children of all ranks and ages moved ceaselessly to collect funds. Acharya Shri Vijayavallabhasuri helped the campaign by delivering speeches in different wards of the city. Sincere and unified efforts created a magic influence of unloosening the purse strings and the target amount was collected ahead of the scheduled hour. This has been a unique incident from which the posterity and pessimistic workers will derive a great lesson of zeal and will. It provided a pointer to the immense potentialities of this great saint.
UNITY OF ALL FAITHS :: During the unsettled period in the undivided Punjab, officers and their families of all faiths held him in high respect. Wives of many military officers attended his lecture meetings and approached him for dispelling their doubts and solving their difficulties. His approach to all problems was based on eclectic, comprehensive and universal outlook which was a key to his popularity amongst people of all sects and faiths.
In latter stage of his life, he took keen interest A fostering unity amongst. al sects of Jainas. He
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