________________
Jainism: The Cosmic Vision significance and comprehensiveness, but also and along with this, he simply and sharply explained the views of all philosophies of India. From America he came to England. Looking to the curiosity about the religion that prevailed here, he started a coaching class. One of the curious men in the class, Herbert Warren abandoned non-vegetarian diet and adopted the Jain religion. He took notes from Shri Virchand Gandhi's lectures. Besides, Herbert Warren wrote a book on the Jain religion. (Jainism - not Atheism and the six Dravyas of Jaina Philosophy By H. Warren, Jain Publishing House, Arrah, India) During this travel abroad, Shri Virchand Gandhi delivered 535 lectures. Some of these have been preserved in the three books titled Jaina Philosophy', 'Yoga Philosophy and Karma Philosophy'. On account of his efforts "Gandhi Philosophical Society' was established in Washington. In the World Religions Conference at Chicago Swami Vivekanand gave voice to the Hindu religion and culture. In this conference Shri Virchand Gandhi delivered a lecture on the Jain Religion. He had lectured elsewhere on other Indian philosophies. In 1901 A.D. Shri Virchand Gandhi died only at the age of 37 and in 1902 A.D. Swami Vivekanand died at the Belur hermitage at the age of 40. Vivekanand's life and work left a lasting influence. But the great work of Shri Virchand Gandhi sank into oblivion. Only the 'Jain Literature Society' founded by him in London stands as his memento. Its secretary was Herbert Warren. In 'Jainism not Atheism' Warren discussed the Jain concept of God. The learned and celebrated barrister of Digambar sangha (congregation), Shri Champatray Jains' lecture 'A peep behind the veil' was also published in this book. Barrister Champatray Jain's book, 'The Key of Knowledge' was very highly esteemed
216
Activities of Jain Religion in the Last Century in those days. With different religions in view, the writer made, in the fourteen chapters of this book, spiritual presentation on such topics as God, Yoga, Law of Karma. The writer especally aims at the Jain doctrine of saptabhangi.
In 1904 AD Shri Vijaydharmasuriji came to Kashi. He made correspondence with a number of European scholars on revising and editing Jain literature. The flow of studies and research in Jainology passed from Europe to America and since last few years it has passed into Japan also. Recently Suzuko Ohira of Japan researched on Tattvartha Sutra. In Paris Dr. Koleri Kaya made a deep study of Jain cosmology. He wrote a thesis on Jain Vyavahar Bhashya. Dr. Nalini Balbir, a resident of Paris, researched on the Danashtaka story. At present Klous Broon and Chandrabhal Tripathi are making an important contribution in Jain Studies in Germany.
Ray Dhanpatsinh of Calcutta was the first to get Jain Agamas printed. His efforts to get 45 Agamas printed and published should be regarded as noteworthy (Samvat 1933 to 1947). He published a number of Agams. With the help of Agamodaya Samiti Agamoddharak Shri Sagaranand Suri single handed did the revising and printing work of Agam Panchangi on a large scale. Subsequently none else has single-handed done such a huge work. Jain Dharma Prasarak Sabha, Atmanand Sabha and Yashovijayji Jain Granthamala of Bhavnagar published important books on Jain Literature. In the series 'Sacred Books of the Jainas' translations of a number of Digambara Jain works were published from Arrah. Besides, L. D. Institute of Indology and Shri Mahavira Jain Vidyalaya at present do the publishing activity. A number of Jain books of Digambaras were systematically revised and edited by
217
