Gandhi Before Gandhi

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

Page 188

GANDHI BEFORE GANDHI
Annie Besant (President of Theosophical society, London) and Secretary Miss Mular
President Charles C. Bonney: He was the president of parliament of world religion Chicago 1893. The concept of the Parliament of Religions, its organization and its success were all thanks to this gentleman. He had great feeling and sympathy for India. When there was a drought in India in 1896-97 and when Virchandbhai formed a committee to aid India, he asked for and obtained the cooperation of President C.C. Bonney as the chairman of the
committee. The committee sent a shipload of food grains and about Rs. 40,000/- for the victims of the drought in different parts of India.
They were with VRG in his first trip to USA to participate in the Parliament. They got impressed by VRG's lectures on the steamer PARIS and told to publish books on Jainism in English. They were also surprised that they were not knowing that such unique religion is existing in India. Miss Mular had sent a poem for the book Saviryu Dhyanto LALAN.
Dr. John Henry Barrows: He was the chairman of the Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893. He was impressed by the way in which Virchandbhai defended Hinduism in a gentle but effective manner and added to the dignity of the conference. When Virchandbhai stayed in America after the conference, Mr. Burrows temporarily vacated his own residence for Virchandbhai to stay there.
Mark Twain : Mark Twain, father of American Literature was too impressed by Virchand Gandhi and Jain philosophy. His newspaper "Buffalo Express" had covered immense success of VRG. On Mark Twain's Visit to India, VRG displayed his hospitality and accompanied him to Jain temples. In Mark Twain's, "Biblical & Hindu Miracles" - G.B. Singh justifies that Virchand Gandhi had met Mark Twain on his visit to India but somehow Western
researchers in inventing Mark Twain in "The Lives of Samuel Langhome Clemens by Andrew Hoffman" mistook Virchand Gandhi Gandhi.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Gorden : Hon, secretary of Mahavir brotherhood, London, established by VRG
V Glasenapp : Influenced by VRG's lecture he wrote his doctorate dissertation on the Jain Doctrine of Karma
William Pipe : He was the joint secretary of the Parliament of Religions. He was an admirer of the activities of Virchandbhai and was helpful to him whenever possible. He knew about the strict codes of conduct which were followed by Mr. Virchand Gandhi about his diet. He made all the arrangements for his strict vegetarian diet. It was under the guidance of William Pipe that Virchandbhai conducted the classes at the School of Oriental Philosophy and Esoteric Studies.
Other Friends: Countess Wachmeister, Mr. Alexander Fullerton, Professor Richardson (Hindu Boys college, Benares), Mr. Robert Burnette, Mr. Davitt D. Chidister (President of the T. S. in Philadelphia), Mr. Waterman (Judge of Chicago), Mrs. Geo. Cady (Cleveland)
Mr. George Francis Train: A leading businessman of USA, who often visited India and had business in Kolkatta. After hearing a lecture of VRG, he became vegetarian