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

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Page 317
________________ 288 reflections of that great spirit of goodness which is, love to all living beings. I do not claim superiority, I do not arrogate to myself or to my people the right to judge or to criticise. But you say to me, you are our brother, and some of you say you are our elder brother and therefore, if I am your brother (and I am your brother) I ask you why do you persecute, condem and devour one another in the sense in which one form of christianity antagonizes another, and one sect of Christians excommunicates another, and why, in some instances, in your conception of missionary duty, do you even exconnunicate ma ? Only this I will say, because I am your brother, ine you shall not excommunicate; my people you shall not relegate to the uncovenanted mercies of God ! It is the spirit of your religion, as well as of my own, that the Supreme Be. ing is the source and essence of goodness, and that all living beings are in a sense, the children of that Sup Teme Being, therefore, all men are brothers, therefore, the tie that binds us in this brotherhood is not difference, nor hate but love; and what is love, my brothers and sisters ? Is it a sentiment merely ? An expression merely? It is only a word that can be interpreted in many ways or not interpreted at all ? We say in our sacred books, "Love is only of one kind, which binds together all the universe and which destroys all differences, without creating any quarrelsome opinions and jealousies and other wrong states of mind." Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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