World Religions Conference November 1957

Author(s): Sushil Muni
Publisher: Achal Singh Seth

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Meetings & discussions
of them fully agreed with and appreciated the idea of the World Religions Conference and promised their full co-operation.
On the occasion of Mahavira Jayanti Celebrations, Muniji, for the first time had an opportunity to meet the President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad who very · kindly asked Seth Achal Singh M. P. to arrange the next meeting. Accordingly,
on 20th May, 1957, Muni ji had a long and detailed talk with the President on various questions including World Religions Conference, publication of Jain Literature and Scriptures etc. Muni ji was accompanied by the Patriarchs of the order of Jain Monks and the renowned Jain savant and scholar Shri Atma Ram ji Maharaj who presented his commentary on Jain Scriptures to the President. Muni ji explained at length, the Jain Philosophy of Anekantvad to the President which had inspired him to organise the World Religions Coníerence.
Meetings with the President
Must had a meeting with the President on 26th January also. On the 23rd June, Muni ji accompanied by his Guru, Muni Shri Chhotelalli and Muni Shukla Chand jl, had ancther meeting with the President at the Rashtrapaty Bhavan, On 9th September Muniji had yet another important meeting with the President which lasted for 80 minutes. Munlji said to the President that the real work of the Conference would begin after the Conference Session was over. The aim of the Conference he said, was to educate mankind to adopt Ahimsa (non-violence) as a moral code and a spiritual way of life. Muni ji once again met the President in the month of October when he was able to inform him that almost all the Religious Societies in the country were extending their willing co-operation to the Conference.
Muni Ji also called on the Vice-President Dr. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru on 27th May and 26th September respectively and also saw the Home Minister, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant and Education Minister, the Late Maulana Abulkalam Azad and others. The Vice-President and the Education Minister promised to attend the Conference. During his talk with the Prime Minister, Muni ji emphasised that in this age of war and destruction "Non-violent" approach was the only way to World Peace. The adoption of Ahimsa as a moral code, however, depended on Purity of heart and spiritual way of life. The aim of the Conference was to mobilise the forces of Peace and Non-violence and to utilize therm for World Peace. The world Religions Conference felt the urgent need for setting up a Research Institute for Non-violence in India. Muni ji told the Prime Minister that his presence in the Conference would greatly help towards the achievement of this object. Pandit Nehry agreed to take part in the Conference. He also gave some valuable suggestions
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