Systems of Indian Philosophy

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

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FOREWORD
The first edition of “The Systems of Indian Philosophy" containing lectures delivered by Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi before a large gathering of World's Religious leaders at the First Parliament of World's Religions, a hundred years ago was published for the first time in a book form by Shri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya in 1970. This is the second Edition of this book being published on the eve of the Centenary of the Parliament of World's Religions which is scheduled to be held from 28th August to 5th September 1993 at Chicago, U.S.A.
The First Parliament was held in Chicago in September 1893. Pujyapad Acharya Shri Vijayanandsuri (Atmaramji) Maharaj, a versatile Scholar Saint and Author of many learned treatises, was invited to represent Jainism at the Congress as he was reputed to be a leading learned Acharya and an authority on Jaina Philosophy and Scriptures. However principles and restrictions enjoined by Jaina tenets and Agamas precluded a Jain Sadhu (monk) from using any vehicle to travel or cross the sea. Under the circumstances, an option was specially offered to Acharyashri to send a studied essay on the fundamentals of Jainism. “Chicago Questionnaire" was the outcome and a comprehensive highly scholastic essay was prepared. The Committee of the Congress was highly impressed to read that treatise. They insisted on Acharyashri to send a representative and Pujya Acharya Atmanandji selected Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi to represent Jain Religion at the Congress. Shri Gandhi was given intensive training for six months for the purpose and with his extraordinary grasp and intelligence, he not only mastered the Jaina Philosophy but also made a comparative study of many leading religions of the world.
Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi was born at Mahuva, near Bhavnagar on 25th August, 1864. After primary and secondary education at Bhavnagar, he joined Elphinstone College in Bombay and graduated with honors. He mastered fourteen languages and at the age of 21 he became the first Honorary Secretary of the Jain Association of India.
Gandhi was a formidable Champion of Jaina Philosophy, a brilliant exponent of the systems of Indian Philosophy and a fervent lover of Indian Culture. He was a most astounding scholar with