Teacher of Humanity

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

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came in contact with him personally and those who read some of his writings were convinced of his vast learning. As a true scholar, he appreciated • very much the Western method of critical study and research. His high merits soon attracted the attention of all Orientalists in Europe. They began to correspond with him and request him for manuscripts and suggestions, which he was pleased to give them readily. Several Orientalists such as Drs. Thomas, Jacobi, Hertel, Guerinot, Tessitori and Sylvain Levi were among his personal friends. The life and work of the Jainacharya appealed so much to the scholars in the West that they were tempted to write biographical accounts about him in the scientific Oriental Journals.
Vijaya Dharma Suri has written several original works in Hindi, Gujarati and Sanskrit ; most of them are of a polemic nature, dealing with controversial matters, containing discussions and disputations on moral and religious subjects of great utility and importance. They were written chiefly for the purpose of propagating Jainism and for correcting all misconceptions regarding Jainism. Ahimsa-digdarsana (a treatise on Ahimsa), Brahmacharya-digdarsana (on the value and importance of celebacy) Purushartha-dig-darsana (on purusharthas), Indriyaparajaya-dig-darsana con control of senses), Atmaunnati-dig-darsana (on the spiritual advancement),
Jaina-siksha-dig darsana (on Jainism), and the