Gandhi Before Gandhi

Author(s): Bipin Doshi, Priti Shah
Publisher: Jain Academy Educational Research Center Promotion Trust Mumbai

Page 184

GANDHI BEFORE GANDHIA
Param Pujya Acharya Vijayanandsuriji aka Muni Atmaramjee Maharaj
Acharya Vijayanadsuri (Atmaramjee) was born in 1821 CE in a Kapoor Khatri family. At the age of 16, he was initiated in Sthanakwasi Jain order. Later in VS 1875, he was initiated by Muni Buddhivijaya of Tapagaccha. In 1886, he was conferred the title of Acharya at Palitana. Previous such honour of being conferred the title of an Acharya was almost four centuries ago. He was far sighted Jain scholar saint, author of many learned treatises on Jain religion. He was invited to participate in first ever congress of world religions held in Chicago in 1893, since his glory had reached Western world too. The principles of right conduct of Jain monks prevented him to go, but Acharyashri wanted Jainism to be presented in the congress. Hence he referred the matter to the community & name of 29 years old, Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi (VRG) was suggested who was then the secretary of Jain Association of India.
Muni Shri Atmaramjee trained & deputed Shri Virchand Gandhi. Since it was considered to be a sin to cross the sea & visit foreign lands, protest was raised against VRG's trip to USA, but Shri Atmaramjee was a very far sighted saint who could see centuries ahead & hence didn't mind such protest & blessed VRG to represent Jainism, and after VRG's representation in First ever Parliament of World Religions, recognisation regarding Jainism was established in western world.
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VRG before commencing his speech in parliament conveyed, "The inclemency of climate & the distant voyage which one has to undertake before one can come here prevented that able JAIN (Muni Atamaramjee) from attending this grand assembly & personally presenting you the religious convictions of Jains. You'll therefore look upon me as simply mouthpiece of Muni Atamaramjee, the learned priest of Jains in India, who devoted his whole life to study of that ancient faith. He has commissioned me to say to you that he offers his cordial congratulations on his own behalf & on behalf of Jain community for you having achieved the consummation of that grand idea of convening of parliament of religions. This spectacle of learned leaders of thought & religion meeting together on a common platform & throwing light on religious problem has been dream of Muni Atmaramjee's life." Such was VRG's respect for his master-Guru.
Jain Association of India
Jain association of India was established by Swetamber Jain Sect in the year 1882 to resolve the various issue of Jain community. Its objectives included unity amongst Jains, propagation of education and values in Jains, to prevent cruelty on animals, to protect Jain places of pilgrimage, to help Jain trusts and organizations etc. Its activities and tasks were magnanimous as Jains were declining in their political, social and economical influences. The work required not only hard work but vision and commitment. Jain community found right young brilliant and knowledgeable person like Mr Virchand Gandhi to shoulder this responsibility. He was the first honorary secretary of this organization and it was through this organization that he initiated various works of the community. This association also helped him for his selections as favorite choice to represent Jains at the first parliament of world religions