Tribute to 19th Century Indian Legend Shri Virchandji Raghavji Gandhi

Author(s): JAINA VRG Committee
Publisher: JAINA VRG Committee

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born in 1821 CE in a Kapoor Khatri family. At the age of 16, he was initiated in Sthanakwasi Jain order. Later in VS 1875, he was initiated by Param Pujya Muni Buddhivijaya of tapa gaccha. In 1886, he was conferred the title of Acharya at palitana. Previous such honour of being conferred the title of an Acharya was almost four centuries ago.
Invitation to Participate in Congress of First Ever World Religions Parliament (CPWR) Chicago, 1893: Muni Atmaramji was a far-sighted Jain saint-scholar, author of several learned treatises and hence was invited to participate in first ever the Parliament of World Religions at Chicago, USA in 1893. The principles of right conduct for a Jain monk prevented him from going abroad. As one of the vows of a Jain saint is not to travel in water.
Virchand Raghav Gandhi: Since Muni Atmaramji wanted awareness about Jainism to be re-presented at this Congress, he trained and deputed 29 year-old, charismatic Virchand Raghavji Gandhi (VRG) (August 25, 1864 - August 7, 1901). VRG then was a young barrister, great exponent of Indian culture-religions, a polyglot knowing 14 languages, secretary of Jain Association of India, Mumbai and was well-versed in Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Western philosophies, Yoga, etc. Its note worthy that at age of 21 VRG became first hon. Secretary of Jain Association of India in 1885. Shri Virchand Gandhi's life was full of incidents and events, which were rare, even in the life of great personages of those times.
CPWR, 1893: 1893, World Religions parliament was held at the Columbus Hall of Art Institute of Chicago with more than 3000 delegates of different nations and religions & such conference lasted for 17 days.
VRG's Speech at CPWR, 1893 : VRG, at the Parliament of World Religions conveyed, "I will, at present, only offer on behalf of my community and their high priest, Muni Atmaramji, whom I especially represent here, our sincere thanks for the kind welcome you have given us. This spectacle of learned leaders of thought and religion meeting together on a common platform and throwing light on religious problems has been a dream of Muni Atmaramji's Life. He has commissioned me to say to you that he offers his most cordial congratulations on his own behalf, and on behalf of