Unknown Life of Jesus Christ New Edition 2009 Publication

Author(s): Nicholas Notovitch, Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

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The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ persuasion, and so to pave the way for world peace. It may be mentioned here that the original invitation for the World Religions Conference of Chicago was sent to Pujya Acharya Vijayanandsuriji (Atmaramji) Maharaj but since he could not travel abroad in violation of Jain code of conduct, he asked Virchand Gandhi to be his representative at the World Religions Conference. For this, he was instructed by the Acharya for six months in Jain Agams.
Virchand Gandhi, a young man of twenty-nine, impressed the delegates not only by his eloquence, but also by the sheer weight of his scholarship. He wore a long and loose kurta, white shawl on his shoulder, a golden-border Kathiawadi turban on his head, and country shoes. This external appearance bore the imprint of India. The scholarship, the impartiality of outlook and the oratorical skill of this man fascinated the delegates at the conference of World Religions. An American, newspaper wrote, "of all Eastern scholars it was this youth whose lecture of Jain faith and conduct was listened to with the interest engaging the greatest attention."
Virchand Gandhi talked about the doctrines of Jainism in such a coherent manner that some newspapers published the text of this lecture in full. He had a most effective way of handling the otherwise abstruse terminology of Jainism. He had an extraordinary ability to clarify his statements in a consistent and logical manner. As he expounded his views, he would give his own interpretations of some of the most difficult points. His lectures demonstrated the fact that the study of Sanskrit and Prakrit alone was not enough for a proper understanding and exposition of Indian philosophy; it was also necessary to assimilate and to realise India's past culture in its proper context. Virchand Gandhi had realised the cultural context and that is why he was never dogmatic; he spoke as a Jain and yet he often took sides with Hindus but above all, he always spoke as an Indian.
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