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

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Page 384
________________ 355 are destroyed by keeping clean. Such sporadic movements are likely to arise in any country and in any religion. Students and scholars ought not to form any judgment about a philosophical system from the doings of such persons. If I know nothing of Chistianity, and happen to attend a Methodist revival meeting and observe the doings of the persons present, I might as well come to the conclusion that the characteristics of Christianity are that its ministers wear frock-coats, that they raise their hands when uttering the benediction, that they stamp their feet on the floor of the pulpit when they deliver sermons, and that the congregation get religion when they shout in a wild manner. What a poor idea of Christianity! I ain gratified to know, however, that there are moments in the life of you Englishmen when you patiently try to understand the subtle and doctrinal differences in the various philosophical systems. But for this fact, I could not have addessed you to-day. I appreciate Sir Roland Wilson's remarks very highely. The reason why the Jains of Ahmedabad asked him to take off his boots when entering the temple in that leather, in the Jains view, is considered unclean. But as we know that it is difficult for Europeans to walk unless they have some kind of footgear on, we offer them slippers of canvas, and thus try to make them comfortable when they are our guests in a temple, without Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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