Jain Digest 2001 03 Vol 18 No 02

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 14

SHRI VIRCHAND R. GANDHI'S LITERATURE
Pravin K. Shah, Raleigh, NC
Shri Virchand Gandhi was a brilliant scholar of Jainism and a great exponent of Indian culture. His speeches at the first parlia- ment of world religion conference in Chicago echoed the true spirit of Jainism and true culture of India. He spoke as a Jain but forcefully defended Hinduism from the attack of Westerners at the Par- liament. Above all, he was first Indian then Jain.
He was the only the Jain representing Jainism at the first parliament of world religions held in Chicago in 1893. After the conference he stayed about two years in the USA and delivered more than 535 lectures on Jainism, Yoga, Indian systems of phi- losophy, Indian culture, occultism, and spiritualism at various institutions.
Virchand Gandhi talked about the doctrines of Jainism in such a coherent manner that some newspapers published the text of his lectures in full. He had a most effective way of handling the otherwise difficult terminology of Jainism. He had an extraordi- nary ability to clarify his statements in a consistent and logical manner. At the conference, he made a brief but striking presenta- tion on the fundamentals of the Jain religion. He expounded the main aspect of the Jain religion namely: Jain philosophy, Jain way of life, and Jain code of conduct.
The following is the list of publications that summarizes his lectures and articles that were compiled and published either by him or by others after his death.
1. The Jaina Philosophy
His lectures on Jain philosophy, logic, and anekantwad have been published in a book named 'The Jaina Philosophy. The book was compiled by Shri Bhagu F. Karbhari and published by Shri Agamodaya Samit, Bombay in 1910. In these lectures he made the Jaina positions comprehensible to a non-Jain and non- Indian audience. His approach was most non-sectarian and ratio- nal. He explained the following basic topics of Jainism in his lectures; Shaddravya Six substances of the universe
Navaratva Nine principles covering philosophy of karma and path of liberation
Chargati Four states of existence Panchavrata Five great and small vows of conduct Moksha Ultimate state of soul when liberated from karma Nyayavad Assertion of truth from a particular point of view Anekanthavad Principle of Jain Philosophy, which explains that truth should be viewed from all different point of views.
2. The Karma Philosophy
His lectures on the Jaina theory of Karma have also been pub- Jished in a book "The Karma Philosophy'. The book was com-
piled by Shri Bhagu F. Karbhari and published by Shri Agamodaya Samit, Bombay in 1913. All Indian religions agree that each action entails its fruit or its result; none can escape the consequences of one's own actions. This fundamental idea on which the doctrine of Karma is based holds crucial importance in the development of ethical thoughts of ancient Indians. The Jaina version of it is illuminating in more ways than one.
V. Glasenapp, a well-known German scholar on Jainism, wrote his doctoral dissertation on the Jaina doctrine of Karma; and acknowledged Gandhi's lectures as his sole influence. Even today, these lectures remain unsurpassed and serve as an independent source of enlightenment on the subject.
3. The Systems of Indian Philosophy
His lectures on the various systems of Indian philosophy have been compiled by Shri K. K. Dixit and published under the title 'The Systems of Indian Philosophy' by Shri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya, Bombay in 1970. It explains the various Indian philosophies, which are Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya (Vaisesika), Mimamsa, Vedanta, Buddhism, and Jainism.
T hese lectures bear testimony of his powers of comprehension, his philosophical acumen and his profound learning. He is particularly conscious of the fact that the true strength of India lies in what is moral and spiritual in Indians. He draws no distinction among Brahmanic(Hindu), Jain, or Buddhist cultures. According to him, the basic Indian culture is neither Hindu, nor Jain nor Buddhist. By giving an impressive account of Indian life, he draws a true picture of the social and moral status of ancient Indians.
His lectures on the various aspect of yoga have been compiled by Shri Bhagu F. Karbhari and published by Shri Agamodaya Samit, Bombay in 1912. His exposition of Yoga philosophy and its technique of eight-fold yoga to achieve the suppression of the manifestations of mind entailing the unagitated pure state of mind, is brilliant. He aptly discusses the interesting topic of miraculous powers, which a yogi acquires by reason of performing the highest form of concentration on the required event, aspect, or thing.
The source of the positive power lies in the soul. The very wording of the definition of yoga involves the supposition of the existence of a power which can control and suppress the manifestations of the mind.
5. Essay - "Radya Kutvani Hanikarak Chal"
Shri Virchand Gandhi was a great social reformer at a very young age. He wrote a 37 page long essay "Radya Kutvani Hanikarak Chal" (crying and breast-beating by a widow or other women relatives after a death of a person) against social evils at the
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