________________
Virchand Raghavji Gandhi all that name implies with our own government and our own rulers, with our laws and institutions controlled by us free and independent, I affirm that we should seek to establish and for ever maintain peaceful relations with all the nations of the world."
Virchand Gandhi made such a great impact that the conveners and scholars of the conference of world religions awarded a silver medal to him. Subsequently on 8th August 1894 the citizens of Kasadova awarded a gold medal to him. In this city he delivered a lecture on 'Some mistakes corrected.' The newspaper, 'Buffalo Courier', records the immense success of the lecture. In America Virchand Gandhi founded two institutions namely, 'The Gandhi Philosophical Society' and 'The School of Oriental Philosophy'. In Chicago he founded an institution namely 'Society for the Education of Women of India.' The secretary of this institution was Mrs. Howard who had adopted pure vegetarianism and other codes of conduct of Jainism under the influence of Virchand Gandhi. As sister Nivedita became Swami Vivekanand's disciple, so Mrs. Howard became Virchand Gandhi's disciple and like Jain, she practised Samayika.
Later, Virchand Gandhi went to England, where he fulfilled his desire to be a barrister, but he did not use this training for monetary gain. Knowing the curiosity for Jainism in England, he started a coaching class. Later he founded the “Jain Literature Society' in London. Herbert Warren, a religious enthusiast, abandoned non-vegetarianism and adopted the Jain religion. He took notes of Virchand Gandhi's lectures and wrote in English a book on the Jain religion. Moreover, Charles C.
209
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
