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Foreword
Introduction
The Parliament of World's Religions which met in Chicago from August 28 to September 4, 1993 was a unique event of this century. It brought together over 7000 representatives of a wide variety of world's faiths and religions.
Cardinals, Bishops and Christian Fathers, Hindu Saints and Swamis, Jaina Gurus, Nuns, Buddhist monks, Zoarastrian and other priests of many faiths, mingled with one another, interacted intensively and endeavoured to explore unity of purpose in the midst of tremendous and often mindboggling diversity of interpretations and emphasis, practices, traditions and beliefs. They were joined by scholars, philosophers, philanthropists, professors, leading personalities with long experience in diplomacy, public administration and social affairs, writers, poets and journalists from every nook and corner of the world
There were the highly inspirational early morning meditation gatherings of refreshing variety ranging from Jaina to Hindu, Christian to Buddhist and others. Major presentations and other thematic speeches at plenary and other sessions of the Parliament were wide ranging in their coverage and drew much interest. There were the colourful folk dances and cultural presentations from different groups, art exhibitions, films, audiovisual programmes and fascinating display booths distributing literature and disseminating information on different religions and faiths.
"The Jains" at the World Parliament
The first Parliament of World's Religions convened exactly a century ago had been by contract a gathering of 400 participants representing around 41 faiths & religions. On that occasion Jaina religion was repre
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