Comtemporary Jain Legends

Author(s): Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram

Page 36

forever maintain peaceful relations with all the nations of the world." Honors in foreign countries and work of religious propaganda. Shri Veerchandbhai had been so much impressive that the conveners and scholars of this World Religion Conference had awarded silver medal to him. After this, on August 8, 1894, the residents of Kasadoya City had awarded gold medal to Veerchandbhai. He delivered lecture on "Some Mistakes Corrected" in this city. When the lecture was over, he was requested to deliver yet another lecture- as noted by the newspaper named Beffellow Corriyar. Veerchandbhai established two institutions named "The Gandhi Philosophical Society" and "The School of Oriental Philosophy" in America. In Chicago, he established, "Society for Education of Women of India". Shrimati Harvard was the secretary of this institution and she had adopted strict Jainism with total vegetarian food under the inspiration of Veerchandbhai. As Bhagini Nivedita was the disciple of Swamy Vivekanand, so Lady Harvard happened to be the follower of Shri Veerchandbhai. She was performing Samayik also in the same way as other Jains. After this, Veerchandbhai Gandhi came to England and fulfilled his desire to be a Barrister, but he did not use his learning to earn money. The Jain community in England asked him to start a teaching class for the study of Jainism; and after some years, Veerchandbhai established "Jain Literature Society" in London. One devotee Herbert Warren stopped taking non-vege food and adopted Jainism. He noted down the lectures of Veerchandbhai and wrote a book in English on Jainism. Mr. Charles B. Bonny, President of the World Religion Conference was also very much impressed by the lectures of Veerchandbhai. When there was severe draught in India in 1896-97, Mr. Bonny was the president of Draught Relief Samiti established in America. This Samiti atonce sent Rs. 40,000 and one steamer full of grains. Veerchandbhai had delivered about 535 lectures during this tour of America. He had total control over 14 languages including Gujarati, Hindi, Bengali, English, Sanskrit and French. Thus, a youth of only 29 going to foreign countries displeasing his relatives in India, deliver an impressive lecture in World Religion Conference, visit foreign countries for three times, establish several institutions and propagate not only the Jainism but almost all Indian scriptures, is really a very surprising matter.
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Service to Religion inIndia: Veerchandbhai did not live long, but his life was full of several awards and rewards. He was the first Jain student getting through B.A Examination with honors in 1884. His father expired in 1890 and he had not allowed any body to cry or beat breast, as was the prevailing practice in those days. This was not an ordinary achievement. At the age of 21, he was secretary of "Shri Jain Association of India" and he successfully worked for the removal of hair-removing tax being taken from the pilgrims coming to Palitana for pilgrimage. The firm Anandji Kalyanji filed a case against the ruler of Palitana against difficulties and hardships caused to the pilgrims, but the political agent had good relations with Sursinghji, ruler of Palitana and favorable orders could not be obtained from him. Shri Veerchandbhai took this matter in his hand. It was like committing suicide to be against rulers in those days but Veerchandbhai made several trips on horse between Mahuva and Palitana. He created an atmosphere for co-operative dialogue. At