Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

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Prologue
Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi (1864-1901) made his indelible mark not only as an ardent and committed champion of the vital concerns facing the Jaina community in India, but even more significantly as a distinguished exponent of Jaina religion and philosophy in particular and Indian philosophy and culture in general in the Christianity centered Western World. And all this in a short life span of 37 years only.
His great moment of being ushered into the global limelight was the historic first ever Parliament of World's Religions at Chicago (U.S.A.) in 1893. He was deputed by reverend Jaina Monk Acharya Atmanandji to attend on his behalf as a pioneer flag-bearer of Jaina religion outside the borders of India.
Virchandbhai lived up to the confidence of the Jaina monk. At the age of 29, he articulated most persuasively and cogently the fundamental theories and principles of Jaina religion, its philosophical perceptions and its ethical dimensions. And this he did in the context of Jaina philosophy's integrated perception of Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekant in perception (Darshan), knowledge (Gyan) and conduct (Charitra).
Beginning with his scintillating and soul-stirring speech in the Parliament and his subsequent interventions during the 17 days session, he was invited to deliver a series of speech on Jainism in Chicago, Boston, New York, Washington and other cities during his three years sojourn in U.S.A. On the return journey he was invited to deliver many speeches in London in U.K.
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