________________
my visit which has given so much satisfaction to me, and I hope, same to you, be an auspicious omen—a Mangala for the friendly relation of the two races, European and Indian.
I have been much interested in seeing your town with its splendid mansions and its fort with its historical memories and I shall not forget, what has made so deep an impression on my mind. But the purpose for which I came and for which I was expressly invited was to see your Pujyaji Maharaj and to collect information about the Jain Swetambar Terapanthi section at the fountain head. In this respect my visit was a fully success.
I had some lengthy conversations with the Pujyaji Maharaj Shree Kaluramji, who has most kindly shown and explained to me important passages on the jain Shastras and enlightened me besides on many important points of interest, e.g. on the very strict rules of conduct to which the J. S. Terapanthi sadhus must comply and other gentlemen who have taken much trouble to inform me about the organisation of the J. S. Terapanthis, the working of which I have observed with my own eyes, when I was present at the meetings of Sadhus and Mahasatis, of shravaks and shravikas under the guidance of your venerable head Guru, the Pujyaji Maharaj. It so happended that during my presence in Ladnun, the ordination of a man and his wife took place and I could witness the ceremony. Moreover, on this very morning, I have been present at a fera (i.e. the public examination of sadhus). Thus I have been able to form a correct idea of the institutions and the religious life of the J. S. Terapanthis, about whom so little is known to the public in Europe and America. I may say, that thanks to the readiness of all to give me information. The purpose of my visit to Ladnun has been entirely fulfilled and that I am now in a position, whereever an occasion offers, to speak with authority about the J. S. Terapanthis and their religion.
70€ / calcugnaga-9
