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The Jaina Philosophy
own rulers, with our laws and institutions controlled by us free and independent, I affirm that we should seek to establish and forever maintain peaceful relations with all the nations 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 in the family of man. The Sanskrit poet says: "This is my country, that is your country, these are the conceptions of narrow souls: to the liberal-minded the whole 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 your 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 converted commodity, but I, as a Hindu, as a Jainas, in the name of my countrymen and of my country, would offer you as the medium of the most perfect exchange between us, henceforth and forever, the indestructible the unchangeable, the universal currency of good will and peace, and this, my brothers and sisters, is a currency that is not interchangeable with silver and gold, it is a currency of the heart, of the good life, of the highest estate on the earth and it is the currency of heaven. The civilization whose highest badge is the perishable symbol of corruption and greed, silver and gold, is not to be compared to that civilization whose highest symbol is the image of peace, and whose highest expression is good-will towards man and all living beings. Our Jaina poet says: "Spirit of peace and perfect bliss, devoid of impure and destructive parts, Glory be to Thee."
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