Selected Speeches of V R Gandhi

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi Godiji Jain Derasar Mumbai

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When all the representatives of various religious presented and expounded principles and philosophy of their religions particularly they dealt with such topics as the origin of the universe, the existence of God, the causes of suffering, happiness and misery in the world, the ultimate purpose of life and ethics. Shri Virchand delivered several speeches inside and outside the Congress, which created deep and abiding impressions on the mind of the American people. He.expounded to them what is this universe, whether there is any being called God as the creator of this universe, what is the ultimate purpose of life and such other things. He explained to them (the nine principles in this universe), षड्द्रव्य (the six substances), (the four states of existence), (five great and small vows of conduct), (the ultimate state of soul when liberated from Karma), EIG (the assertion of truth from particular aspect), (the principle of Jaina Philosophy which explains that a particular statement is true from a particular aspect and not true from another aspect). is a principle, which attempts to try and reconcile various points of view and is a peculiar contribution of Jainas to the attainment of knowledge.
His speeches were very much appreciated and made a deep impression about the Jaina religion as a rational religion on the mind of the American public. An eminent contemporary American wrote about him at that time in very eloquent terms. He said that "A number of distinguished Hindu scholars, philosophers and religious teachers attend
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