Gandhi And Jainism

SR No.: 007798
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
Publication Year: 2017
Total Pages: 339
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 120 MB

Page 154

Thus Gandhi continued to be in touch with Rajchandra through letters on personal and religious matters till the early death of Rajchandra in 1901AD. Through Rajchandra the impact of Jainism became stronger on him. Rajchandra became his spiritual refuge.
It was during his life in South Africa that Gandhi seriously studied the meaning of the scriptures and the essence of religion. The concluding remark in Rajchandra's letter was:
"On a dispassionate view of the question I am convinced that no other religion has the subtle and profound thought of Hinduism, its vision of the soul, or its charity,"10
This remark cleared all doubts of Gandhi and he decided to remain within the folds of Hindu religion in which he was born. Raychandbhai was responsible for bringing me to this position.12 The reader can thus imagine how much my respect for him must have increased."
In a letter to his friend Henry Polak, Gandhi recommends that everyone at the Phoenix Settlement should read Tolstoy and that the Gujaratis among them should also read Rajchandra because, "The more I consider his life and his writings, the more I consider him to have been the best Indian of his time. Indeed, I put him much higher than Tolstoy in religious perception. His books I have read have afforded me the highest solace. They should be read over and over again. So far as English book was concerned, Tolstoy is incomparable in my opinion in chastity of thought. His definition of purpose of life is unanswerable and easy to understand. Both Kavi (Rajchandra was popularly called Kavi-poet) and Tolstoy have lived as they have preached."! 4 Gandhi felt himself irresistibly attracted to the saintly Rajchandra."
Gandhi & Jainism
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