Teacher of Humanity

Author(s): C S Mallinath
Publisher: Pulchandji Ved

Page 25

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public halls, street-corners and market places where all sorts of people could hear his speeches and be benefited by them. Though he was very strict in observing all the rules of conduct laid down for ascetics, he was entirely free from the defects of narrow-orthodoxy. He was ready to adopt any practice which was not opposed to the teachings of Jainism. Thus whenever he had to address public meetings and speak before nonJain audiences, he always stood up and spoke. Unlike many Jain Sadhus, he was broad-minded and free from religious prejudices. He gladly welcomed the follower of any faith and exchanged ideas with him. When he was requested to attend the Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha, he readily accepted the invitation, went to Allahabad and delivered several learned lectures before a large gathering of orthodox Hindus. He rightly understood that the duty of a Jain monk was to preserve and propagate the Gospel of the Jina. To this end he dedicated his life and he spared no pains to work towards its achievement. For the sake of spreading the knowledge of Jainism he was always ready to go any distance in any direction and to visit any place-be it the Palace of a Maharaja or the hamlet of a peasant.
As A SCHOLAR AND WRITER It needs no saying that Vijaya Dharma Suri was a scholar of very great reputation. Those who