Virchandr R Gandhi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Virchand R. Gandhi:

This document, published by the JAINA Education Committee, details the life and work of Virchand R. Gandhi (August 25, 1864 - August 7, 1901), a prominent figure in the propagation of Jainism and Indian culture.

Key Contributions and Life Events:

• Representing Jainism at the Parliament of World Religions (1893): Virchand Gandhi, along with Swami Vivekananda representing Hinduism, was a notable delegate at the historic Parliament of World Religions held in Chicago. Dressed in traditional Indian attire, his articulate presentation of Jain philosophy and way of life deeply impressed the attendees. American newspapers lauded his insightful and engaging speeches on Jainism, highlighting his ability to explain complex concepts with clarity and logic.

• Academic and Intellectual Prowess: Born in Mahuva, Gujarat, Gandhi pursued higher education in Mumbai, earning a B.A. Honors degree from Elphinstone College and Bombay University in 1884. He was the first graduate from the entire Jain community. He possessed a profound knowledge of various religions and philosophies, including Buddhism, Vedanta, Yoga, Christianity, and Western philosophy. He was also a polyglot, having studied fourteen languages, including Gujarati, Hindi, Bengali, English, Prakrit, Sanskrit, and French.

• Social Reform and Advocacy:

  • At the young age of 21 (1885), he became the Honorary Secretary of the Jain Association. He successfully campaigned to abolish the pilgrimage tax imposed on travelers visiting the holy Shatrunjaya mountain near Palitana, Gujarat. He negotiated with the Governor of Bombay, Lord Reay, and officials to replace the per-head tax with an annual payment of Rs. 15,000 for the security of pilgrims and the religious site, demonstrating his adept negotiation skills and commitment to religious freedom.
  • In 1891, he actively opposed the establishment of a fat extraction factory near the sacred Sametshikhar mountain in Bihar, which was a significant Jain pilgrimage site. He stayed in Calcutta for six months, learned Bengali, and successfully fought a legal battle to close down the factory, asserting that no violent activity could take place at this holy site.
  • As a social reformer from a young age, he wrote extensively against societal ills and fought against harmful customs, leading to the abolition of some.

• International Advocacy and Cultural Diplomacy:

  • Following the Parliament of World Religions, Gandhi stayed in the USA for approximately two years, delivering lectures in cities like Chicago, Boston, New York, and Washington.
  • He also traveled to England, France, Germany, and other European countries. He consistently wore his Indian attire abroad, which included a long kurta, a white shawl, a Kathiawadi turban with a golden border, and Indian shoes, projecting a distinct Indian identity.
  • He delivered over 535 lectures on Jainism, Yoga, Indian philosophy, Indian culture, Tantra, and spirituality.
  • While he earned a barrister degree from a London court, he chose not to use it for personal financial gain.

• Effective Communication and Unbiased Approach: Gandhi explained Jain principles with such clarity and simplicity that newspapers would often print his speeches in full. He had a unique ability to make complex Jain terminology accessible to a general audience. His lectures were characterized by their logical flow and comprehensiveness, presenting the essence of Jain philosophy, lifestyle, and tenets. A significant aspect of his approach was his refusal to criticize other religions. His impartial and objective expression of his views, free from sectarian bias, embodied the Jain ideals of Ahimsa (non-violence) in action and Anekantavada (many-sidedness) in thought. He effectively presented the authentic and intellectual traditions of Jainism to the awakened Americans.

• Challenging Stereotypes of India: At a time when India was often perceived in the West as a land of snakes, tigers, magicians, and kings, and misrepresented by Christian missionaries, Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda worked to present a truthful picture of India. Gandhi explained that despite numerous invasions, India's spirit remained vibrant and alert, and its culture and religion were preserved. He highlighted the world's fascination with India.

• Nationalist Sensibility: Gandhi was not rigid; while speaking as a Jain, he also defended Hinduism against foreign criticism, recognizing himself as Indian first. He received widespread appreciation and warm welcomes from clubs, literary and religious societies, philosophical schools, and spiritual organizations in America and Europe. He educated Westerners about the uniqueness of Indian culture.

• Vision for Indian Independence and Welfare: Even before India's independence, Gandhi foresaw the need for self-rule. In one of his speeches, he expressed that under self-governance, India could manage its laws and institutions freely and establish peaceful relations with all nations. During the Indian famine of 1896, while in America, he organized the shipment of Rs. 40,000 worth of grain to India.

• Establishing Institutions: In America, he founded several organizations, including the "Shri Gandhi Philosophical Society," "Oriental Philosophical School," and "Indian Women's Education Society." Mr. Howard, a pure vegetarian and devout follower of Jain principles, served as the secretary for these institutions.

• Inspiring Westerners: He initiated the Jain Literature Society in England and taught Jainism. Mr. Herbert Warren, an enthusiastic propagator, embraced vegetarianism and Jainism. He compiled Gandhi's lectures into a book titled "Herbert Warren's Jainism."

• Legacy and Passing: Gandhi's health deteriorated while he was in England, and he returned to India. He passed away in Mumbai on August 7, 1901, at the young age of 37. He is remembered as a bright, hopeful individual dedicated to the service of religion and society. His name is immortalized as a powerful advocate of Indian culture and Jainism.

The document also includes a table listing some of his published works, their publication years, and languages, highlighting his extensive literary contributions.