Jaina Philosophy

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

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WA
The Jaina Philosophy It was his speech at the Parliament of World's Religions that opened the gates of the western world unaware about the history, legacy, principles and philosophy of Jainism as one of the oldest religions of the world.
Chicago Daily Sun wrote on April 3 1894 :
"Mr. Virchand R. Gandhi who represented Jaina religion at the Parliament of Religions has been listened to by larger and more enthusiastic audience then any other oriental religion during and since the parliament”. Reverend A White of Chicago considered him as one of the best equipped of the many scholarly men who represented the various religions of India at the Parliament. In an interview with St. Joseph Gazette on May 8, 1894 Rev. Pastor Addison Parker of laporte (Indiana), observed that Gandhi impressed him as one of the brainiest and most stirring of the representatives of the Far East.
Hon'ble Mame Marium Marie Snell succinctly summed up : "Virchand Raghavji Gandhi has brought home to the Western audience and the largely Christian world that there exist other oriental religions like Jainism which surpass in philosophical depth, rational and logical approach, ethical intensity and stress on integrating perceptions, thought and conduct in the day to day life behavior."
It has been the great fortune of the Jaina community that within 10 years of his passing away, Mr. Bhagu Karbhari, editor of 'The Jaina' and the 'Patriot' of Bombay collected all the speeches and writings of Virchandbhai on the Jaina philosophy in U.S.A. and U.K. and published it with his preface in 1911.
Now 108 years after his demise and 116 years after his impact creating speech at the Parliament of world's religions World Jain Confederation (W.J.C.) is bringing on this fresh edition. We in the W.J.C. felt that the content cf Virchand Gandhi's speeches would be as relevant in the 21st century as they were in the 19th
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