________________ 126 Homage to Vaisali advanced sections of mankind. The Buddha preached the necessity of love and friendship and he used them as the weapons of persuation. Though Mahavira's emphasis upon "Ahinsa' has been interpreted more in the negative than in the positive aspect, I belive that he had not a fundamental difference with the Buddha in this regard. The Budda made non-violence the exponent of love and friendship and compassion. Mahavira was also activated by these poble impulses. We have emphasised in the past the subtle shades of difference, and magnified them out of all propotion. We sometimes put the telescope on our blind eye, and the result is misunderstanding. We have quarrelled over ethical principles and religious doctrines without tbe least compunction, and the result has been that on this urbappy earth which is too easily obnoxious to the natural calamities of disease, decay and death, religion has made the cup of our suffering full to the brim. I invite the attention of all right thinking men and women to realise the necessity of revising our old way of contact and thought. Let us sincerely try to understand the fundamental unity of the human mind, and imbibe the eternal truths which have inspired the different religious creeds. Let us assess the results of history, and examine whether the truths inculcated by the prophets have been validated by the verdict of history. Has violence ever succeeded for long? Has the need of love and understanding and friendship become defunct? I am persuaded to think that these truths bave always triumphed over selfishness and hatred: The successes achieved by hatred in the past have been ephemeral because they did violence to the inner spirit of man. We will honour Mabavira to our own benefit, if we endeavour to enter into the philosophy of the fundamental tenets preached by him. Even if we make due allowances for the moral weaknesses of man, we cannot but recognise the truth that the elevated code of ethics and religion preached by him will ensure the survival of mankind and the growth of civilization in the true sense of the term. Civilization has grown in its material content, and the paramount need of the present and the future generations will be to enrich the spiritual content of it. Before I resume my seat I must again give voice to my feelings of thankfulness to the Vaisali Sangha for the opportunity they have given me for participating in the momentous celebrations of the day on this sacred spot. Inspite of my advancing age and declining health I have not become a cynic. I am optimistic of the future glory and intellectual and spiritual triumphs of our nation. We have made a good beginning and our leaders and administrators are laying the foundation of the future edifice. I have unshakable faith in their sincerity and patriotism. I have
