Book Title: Jain Philosophy
Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Agamoday Samiti

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Page 293
________________ 264 You know, my brothers and sisters, that we are bot an independent nation, we are subjects of her Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria, the " defender of the faith," but if we were a nation in all that that name implies, with our own government and our own tulers, with our laws and institutions controlled by us free and independent, I affirm that we should seek to establish and for ever maintain peaceful relations with all the pations of the world. We would seek neither to lessen your dignity nor to encroach upon your right or domain, and we would ask for that recognition in the family of nations which you already concede to us m the family of man. The Sanskrit poet says: “This to my country, that is your country, these are the conceptions of narrow souls: to the liberal-minded the wbole world is a family." For your inventions, and for whatever is just in your methods of industry, for whatever is humane and wise in your forms of education, and for whatever is pure and useful in your government and in vour civilization, we would offer you in exchange the sublime teachings of our prophets and our poets, and for all the people cordial fraternity and perfect reciprocity. I have heard your orators speak on many questions, among them the so-called vital question of money which is above all things the most coveted commodity. but I, as a Hindu, as a Jainist, in the Dame of my countrymen and of my country, would Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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