________________
259
stood, are answerable for human destinies. You Americans are living in the realization of the ancient dreams of the philosophers of India and the East. The means of the growth and human uplifting are great here. Our prophets and philosophers of the Fast have laid the foundations of them and it is now for you to build on those foundations. This is the message of India, which she delivers to you and through you to the whole American nation. With this message, also, come more than sinple greeting and recognition. The young American nation is in a condition to rightly appreciate the treasures of the ancient lore and sublime philosophy of India and the Orient, because, intellectually considered, this is virgin soil, and with the message which I bring to America comes also the fraternal invitation to you to study and understand this philosophy.-The key to the archives of our ancient history and lore is placed in confidence in your lap, ani you are invited to unlock for yourselves, with our permission and co-operation, this vast storehouse which contains the treasures of our ancieut philosophy and achievements. Why ? because you are young; because you are studious. unbaised, free and these are the conditions which answer for receptivity.
Certain of your missionaries have informed you wrongly of our history and condition, of our moral stature and of our religion. It is because they have
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
