Vijaydharmasuri

Author(s): A J Sunavala
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Page 51

IX
THE SANĀTANA DHARMA MAHĀSABHA
AT ALLAHABAD
AND
THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE JAIN TĪRTHAS
OF BIHĀR
JAIN RELIGION AS TAUGHT BY THE TĪRTHANKARAS
In the year 1906 Dharma Vijaya went to Allahabad, whither he had been invited, along with other eminent and distinguished savants, to attend the Sanātana Dharma Mahāsabhā. This call afforded him an opportunity to speak of the religion of the Jainas in the presence of a galaxy of erudite scholars who had assembled there from all parts of India. In this splendid assemblage of the learned he delivered a lecture on the subject of Unity, which created a lasting impression, and proved a message of peace to the hearts of his hearers. He spoke about the Jain religion as taught and preached by the Tērthankaras, -the religion which endows everything observable with a living soul, giving extreme sanctity to life in any form, the religion which enjoins purity of life and conduct, respect and reverence to all individuals, toleration and liberality even to the unpopular and intolerant, and compassion and kindness even to animals. He spoke about his own faith; but in doing