Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

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Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
per VRG, the canon of interpretation amongst the Jains has four divisions: (1) Philosophical and metaphysical - broadly, a science of final causes; (2) mathematical, astronomical, and astrological; (3) historical and biographical, including lives of saints; (4) ceremonies, conduct, and ethics. To attain perfection we must stop incoming Karma and work off the old. But we need not be in
bondage to Karma, if we exercise the will to overcome it by concentration, meditation, and practicing the positive virtues of loving regard for all life and compassion for all creatures.
VRG had won the allegiance of Clara Colby, Nebraska's most prominent suffragist, a newspaper editor. Late in 1897, she began to publish a series of VRG's lectures under the heading "school of Oriental Philosophy." (Woman's Tribune, 6 November 1897.)
During his stay in London in 1895 (at Moncure D Conway's residence), VRG had given an interesting exposition of Jain religion at south place chapel and at an ethical society in Camberwell. He had made the acquaintance of Mr. Benball and other Sanskrit scholars of the British Museum, and had assisted them to make a more accurate arrangement of their Jain manuscripts and relics. Everyone was much pleased with him. He had then visited Max Muller (at his daughter's house in Kent). VRG had read a paper before the Royal Asiatic Society. He then visited the Museum of Religions in Paris. He then visited Weber and other Sanskritists in Germany and in Hungary.
Wilson Thomas (1832-1902) in his book 'The Swastika (1896. page 803,804,805)' had described VRG as a cultivated gentleman who was devoted to spread his religion. And on authors request VRG had explained importance of Swastika as per Jain philosophy and how western expounders had misinterpreted Swastika whereby Jains make the swastika sign when they enter the temple or worship. He said that this sign reminds us of the great principles represented by the three jewels & by which we are to reach the ultimate good. This symbol intensifies our thoughts & makes them more important.
We learn from Charles Sanders Peirce's book 'Reasoning and the Logic of Things: The Cambridge Conferences Lectures of 1898, pg 23' that VRG was going to deliver lectures on " The History and Philosophy of the Jain Religion and Social Conditions in India", during January, 1898.
As per Asian review By East India Association (London, England), 1901, (Page 399), the first paper of the year, read on May 21, 1900, was on the "Contribution of Jainism to Philosophy, History, and Progress," by Mr. Virchand R. Gandhi, Lord Reay being in the chair.
He practiced Universal Brotherhood. He died only at age of 37. In 1901 on his last trip to west, his health mysteriously deteriorated, resulting lung hemorrhage and hence in July he had to return back to India. He died on 7th August, 1901. His lifetime ambition was to serve the country, mankind, Jain Community and spread Lord Mahavir's message of universal love and nonviolence across the world.
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