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Virchand Gandhi Blb.Qxd 7/29/2010 11:27 AM Page 70 Virchand Gandhi_blb.qxd 7/29/2010 11:27 AM Page 70 Virchand Gandhi, a Gandhi before Gandhi Bipin Doshi & Pankaz Hingarh* received his recognition primarily for his speech in the first ever World Virchand Raghavji Gandhi, a con- Parliament of Religions in 1893, where temporary of Swami Vivekananda, he represented Hinduism. But we too was a great exponent of Indian hardly know that one more Indian culture. Although a legend during legend at the same event boldly his time, not much records are expressed his patriotism by defending available on his invaluable contri- Indian culture and Hinduism and repre- butions. He, alongside of the sented Jainism - he was the charismatic Swamiji at the Parliament of World and captivating Virchand Raghavji Religions in Chicago in 1893 cor- Gandhi. His captivating speech rected the false and perverse received rounds of applause. A true impression of India as created by patriot is someone who feels or voices the Christian missionaries. expressions of patriotism, love, devo- Referring to the glory of his moth- tion to one’s country. VRG displayed erland’s cultural traditions, he also his patriotism, love and devotion for said, on the other hand, “If that mother India and its spiritual heritage. (Indian) culture was purchasable, His speech echoed the true spirit and England would have purchased it, culture of India. He received equal adopted it. But it has not hap- attention as did Swami Vivekananda. pened, it cannot happen.” Bhagubhai Karbhari, a renowned scholar who was editor of Prajabandhu, hen we speak about Hindu Patriot and Samlochak newspapers, philosophy one eminent wrote in 1910 that Virchand Gandhi Wname emerges in front of us, was felicitated with a silver medal at the that is of Swami Vivekananda and we parliament. VRG delivered 535 lectures all know that Swami Vivekananda in the USA and Europe and was nation- *Dr Bipin Doshi, a physician, and Pankaz Hingarh are Jain scholars and India Committee Members of the Jain Association of North America, Virchand Gandhi Committee. 70 Virchand Gandhi_blb.qxd 7/29/2010 11:27 AM Page 71 Personality ally and internationally felicitated with and independent, I affirm that we should many medals. seek to establish and for ever maintain VRG was admired by personalities peaceful relations with all nations of the such as Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya world.” Today this statement appears as Tilak, Mark Twain, Governor Lord a prophecy that Mahatma Gandhi Reay, Col. Watson, Herbert Warren, (1869-1948) proved in attaining India’s Mrs. Charles Howard, Dr. Paul Carus, freedom with peaceful means. Alexander Fullerton, Miss Lilian The Indian Postal Department Whiting, Annie Beasant, H.S. Olcott, recently issued a stamp and brochure to Swami Vivekananda, Chief Justice commemorate him. A coffee table book Govind Ranade, High Court Justice Sir compiled by Dr Bipin Doshi and Priti Narayan Ganesh Chandavarkar, Shah, titled Gandhi before Gandhi, of William Pipe, George Francis Train, V. selected speeches of VRG in the USA Gasenapp, and many others. The Indian and Europe, has also been released by National Congress Narendra Modi, was founded in “If we were a nation in all that that Chief Minister of word implies, with our own 1885 in Mumbai. Gujarat. government and our own rulers, with VRG, Ranade and our laws and institutions, I affirm that Virchand Chandavarkar we should seek to establish and for Raghavji Gandhi were key members ever maintain peaceful relations with (August 25, 1864 - of the party. all nations of the world.” August 7, 1901) Virchand was born in an Gandhi was a visionary too. He talked upper middle class merchant family of about economic and political freedom Mahuva, Gujarat. His mother had had a five decades before India became inde- series of auspicious dreams before his pendent. In one of his speeches to the birth. His parents were very pious by American public he declared: “You nature. VRG graduated with honours know, my brothers and sisters, that we from Elphiston College in 1884. During are not an independent nation, we are his preparation for solicitors’ examina- subjects of Her Gracious Majesty, tion, VRG and MK Gandhi were in inti- Queen Victoria, the ‘Defender of the mate contacts. From My Experiments Faith’. But if we were a nation in all that with Truth, Mahatma Gandhi’s autobi- that word implies, with our own govern- ography, we learn that VRG and ment and our own rulers, with our laws Mahatma Gandhi were together for their and institutions controlled by us free experiments in dietetics. VRG used to 71 Virchand Gandhi_blb.qxd 7/29/2010 11:27 AM Page 72 Eternal India, August 2010 give assistance to MK Gandhi by telling him from going abroad. One of the him different stories about barristers. He vows of a Jain saint is not to travel tried his best to get briefs for MK across water as it is tantamount to vio- Gandhi. VRG was a great exponent of lence against sea creatures. Since he Indian culture, religions, and a polyglot wanted Jainism to be represented at this knowing 14 languages, and was scholar conference, he trained and deputed 29- in Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, year old, charismatic Virchand Raghavji Christianity, Western philosophies, Gandhi. Yoga, Indian economics, international The parliament was held at the trade, etc. It is noteworthy that at the Columbus Hall of the Art Institute of age of 21 VRG became the first Hon. Chicago with more than 7000 delegates Secretary of the Jain Association of of different nations and religions partic- India in 1885. ipating. The con- For the 1893 The parliament was held at the ference lasted 17 Parliament of Columbus Hall of the Art Institute of days. It was domi- World Religions, Chicago with more than 7000 nated by English- delegates of different nations and distinguished per- speaking Christian religions participating. sonalities were representatives, invited as representatives of various who delivered 153 of 194 speeches. religions on a common platform for the Opportunity for the leaders from other first time. Param Pujya Acharya religious traditions was limited, Vijayandsuri (Muni Atmaramji) was a although significant. Twelve speakers world famous Jain saint who could see represented Buddhism, 11 Judaism, 8 ages ahead of his time. He was born in Hinduism, 2 Islam, 2 Parsi, 2 Shintoism, 1821 CE in a Kapoor Khatri family. 2 Confucianism, 1 Taoism and 1 Being a versatile, far-sighted Jain saint- Jainism. Christianity dominated. Many scholar, and author of several learned Christian leaders declared theirs as the treatises, he was invited to participate in best religion and that one can’t have the first ever parliament held in entry in the kingdom of heaven unless Chicago, USA. But the principles of one is a Christian. Faith in one God and right conduct for a Jain monk prevented the sacrifice of Jesus to wash the sins of Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. – Confucius 72 Virchand Gandhi_blb.qxd 7/29/2010 11:27 AM Page 73 Personality man was highlighted often. To this the West has mistakenly instigated war, extent it was fine but many speakers in we praise our friends from the East who an over-enthusiasm attacked the beliefs pray to God saying, ‘O God, forgive and traditions of other religions. them as they do not know what they are However, there were many Christian doing.’” speakers like Prof. Robert, Wolivunski, Many representatives from India were Henry Infield, George Hood Don not allowed to speak until towards the Boardman who appreciated the oriental close of the session, with a view to religions and also the depth to which holding the audience till the end. Prof. they have reached. The organizers had Chakravarthi, Annie Beasant, H even expressed a desire to hold the next Dharampala, Virchand Gandhi and parliament at Varanasi in India. Rev. Swami Vivekananda were among them. Chepin admitted, “We want to learn, sit- VRG told the parliament, “This spec- ting at the feet of tacle of learned those gentlemen, Many representatives from India were leaders of thought full of wisdom, not allowed to speak until towards the and religion who come from close of the session, with a view to meeting together the East”. The holding the audience till the end. on a common plat- chief of the parlia- Prof. Chakravarthi, Annie Beasant, H form and throwing ment, Barrows, Dharampala, Virchand Gandhi and light on religious Swami Vivekananda were among said in his wel- problems has been them. come speech, a dream of Muni “Motherland of religions, pure water of Atmaramji. He has commissioned me to rivers of India, disciples of Prince say to you that he offers his most cordial Siddhartha Buddha, those who are congratulations on his own behalf, and enlightening Asia, we welcome you.” on behalf of the Jaina community, for Eminent Methodist Church speaker Rev your having achieved the consumma- BW Ornate clarified, “Lots of misun- tion of that grand idea, of convening a derstandings by Christians are dispelled Parliament of Religions. I wish that the by orient scholars. They have realized duty of addressing you on the history that ‘goodness’ does not come with and the tenets of the Jaina faith had colour.” President Bonney, in his con- fallen on that able person than on me. cluding speech, remarked, “This was a The inclemency of the climate, and the conference of friendship and not a distant voyage which one has to under- ground for battle, even if any one from take before one can come here, have 73 Virchand Gandhi_blb.qxd 7/29/2010 11:27 AM Page 74 Eternal India, August 2010 prevented that able Jaina from attending on Jainism, but abusive comments on this grand assembly and personally pre- Hinduism and Indian culture was intol- senting to you the religious convictions erable to him.
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