Or
Questions and Answers on Jainism for the Parliament of Religions Held at Chicago U.S.A. in 1893

by
Late Mahamuni Shrimat Vijyanandsuri

Translated & Published by Shri Atmanand Jain Pustak Pracharak Mandal, Roshan Mohalla, Agra.

B. Chunnilal Pannalal Jeweller, Bombay

Publisher’s Note

This book was originally published in 1905 with an introduction in Hindi by Lala Jaswant Eai Jaini of Lahore, and although the Hindi edition has met, in an ample, measure, the needs of the Hindi knowing public interested in the religion of the Jains, it has proved but of little use to English-educated men — more especially to the people of Chicago and other places in America interested in Jainism, at whose request and for whose benefit the book was written by the distinguished author on the occasion of the World’s Parliament of religions at Chicago. Moreover, there is at present a growing desire among western scholars to know more of Jainism and its tenets, and to them the Hindi edition is of little use. In order to meet these requirements and to make known to the western world the eternal truths of Jainism which occupies a high place among the ancient religions of the world, we have ventured, with the permission of the publisher of the Hindi edition, to bring out this English translation of the book and trust that it will be favorably received by the public.

We are greatly indebted to Babu Kannoo Mal M. A. for the considerable trouble he has taken in translating this book from Hindi and to Babu Chand Mal, B. A. LL.B., Agra, for the pains taken by him in correcting the proofs.

Our thanks are, in no little measure, due to Seth Chunnilal Pannalal Jeweller, Bombay, for the generious pecuniary help he has so kindly given us in bringing out this English edition of the book.

Shri Atmanand Jain Pustak Pracharak Mandal, Roshan Mohalla, AGRA.

A Short Account of the Life of Shrimat Vijayanandsuri-Popularly Known as Shri Atmaramji

Twenty two years have gone by since the death of Shri Vijayanandsuri, the well-known Jain Sadhu of the Swetainber sect. He was born in the village of Lahara, District Ferozpur (Punjab) on the first of Chaitra Shukla in Vikram year 1893. He was a Brahma Kshattriya by casle. His father’s name was Ganeshchandra and mother’s, Rupdevi. He lost his father in early childhood and was brought up by his mother. He was given in charge of Seth Jodhmal of Jira (Punjab) for education in Vikram year 1903.

He studied Hindi and Arithmetic. At times he used to visit Sthanakvasi Sadhus of the place and began to study about religion. In Vikrama 1910 he was initiated as a Sthanakvasi Sadhu. His intellect was keen: he used to commit to memory 100 verses a day. He had learnt the Shastras from the Sthanakvasi Sadhus but he began to entertain doubts as regards the interpretation as given by them. Fortunately he began to study Sanskrit Grammar and other philosophical and logical works with a Pandit.

He fearlessly gave up the Sthanakvasi doctrine and came to Ahmedabad in V. year 1932. He was initiated as a Swetamber Sadhu by Buddhivijayji, a Jain Sadhu of the place. In the V. year 1943, he went to Palitana, Kathiawar, and stayed there for four months during the rainy season. Here he was given the title of ‘Acharya’ by the Sangha; and from that time he was called by the name of Shri Vijayanandsuri.

Then he travelled on foot from Gujerat to the Punjab. During the travel he brought to light the hidden Jain Literature. The Jain Bhandars of different places of Rajputana were examined by him. He got many old important manuscripts fairly copied out.

For many years he lived in the Punjab. His fame spread through the different parts of the country. Many people of other sects came and discussed with him on matters of religion. He answered their arguments in a mild, courteous and dispassionate manner. His tone was inspiring, and the hearers were at times astonished at his pecular tact of answering the questions. His ideas were liberal. He was serene and calm of desposition.

Many questions on Jainism were put to him by Dr. A. F. Rudolf Hoernele through Maganlal Dalpatram in the Vikram year 1945. Dr. Hoernele was greatly satisfied with the answers. He wrote to Maganlal in 1888 “Please convey to the latter (Muni Maharaj) the expression of my thanks for the great trouble he has taken to reply so promptly and so fully to my questions. His answers were satisfactory.” In the introduction of the Upasakdasanga, which Dr. Hornele has edited and translated he writes “For some of this information I am indebted to Muni Maharaj Atmaramji, Anandvijayji, the well-known and highly respected Sadhu of the Jain Community throughout India and author of (among others) two very useful works in Hindi.”

In Vikram year 1949, he received an invitation from Chicago to attend the World’s Parliament of Religions. On account of religious and personal restrictions he could not go, but he sent his representative, Mr. Virchand Raghavji Gandhi, B. A. to Chicago to represent Jainism at the Parliament.

He was the author of a number of works in Hindi. The important works are as follows: —
Tatwanirnaya Prasad (तत्त्वनिर्णयप्रासाद),
Jaina Tatwadarsha (जैनतत्त्वादर्श),
Agnantimir-bhasker (अज्ञानतिमिरभास्कर),
Sainayktwa Shalyodhar (सम्यक्त्वशल्योद्धार),
and Chicago-Prasnottar (चिकागो प्रश्नोत्तर)

Many Jain temples were built in the Punjab by his teaching. About 15000 persons were converted to Jainism by his strenuous efforts. Many Pathshalas and Libraries were established by him in the districts of the Punjab and in different other parts of the country.

Spending his life in doing good deeds he passed away from this world in Vikram year 1953, Jyesta Shukla 13, in Gujranwala (Punjab). The event of his death was mysterious. At midnight he got up from bed and sat in the posture of Padmasana. He called his pupils before him and said to them ‘Oh, Now I go, Arhan!’

‘Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing leave behind us
Foot prints on the sands of time.’

(Longfellow.)

The Shrine of late Mahamuni Shri Atmaramji, Gujranwala (Punjab), v. 1953.

बन्धुर्न नः स भगवानरयोऽपि चान्ये
साक्षान्न दृष्टचर एकतमोऽपि चैषाम् ।
श्रुत्वा वचः सुचरितं च पृथग्विहशेष
वीरं गुणातिशयलोलतया श्रिताः स्म ॥१॥
( श्री हरिभद्रसूरि )

Introduction

The following letter was received by Shri Shri Tapagachhacharya Nyayambhonidhi Shrimat Vijayananda Suri, popularly known as Shri Atmaramji, through the Jain Association of India, Bombay.

Worlds’ Congress Auxiliary
Committee on Religious Congress,
Rev. John Henry Barrows D. D.,
Chairman,
Chicago U.S.A. November 16th 1892.
2330 Michigan Ave.

Mr. Atmaramji,
Bombay,
India.
Please address me
William Pipe,
2330 Machigan Ave,
Chicago,
United States of America.

Dear Sir,

There will be mailed to you in the course of a week an appointment as a member of the Advisory Council of the Parliament of the Relegions to be held in Chicago in 1893. In the meantime the Chairman instructs me to ask you if you will kindly forward to me at your earliest convenience two photographs of yourself and a short sketch of your life. These are to be used in preparing the illustrated account of representatives of the great faiths of the world. Will you therefore give this matter your earnest consideration and forward to me as soon as possible what is requested? Some other pictures and explanatory literature that would illustrate any feature of Hinduism would be much appreciated. With fraternal greetings,

I am,
Faithfully and sincerely yours,
William Pipe.

A reply to this letter was sent by the Jains of Bombay through Mr. Vir Chand Raghavaji Gandhi B. A., M.R.A.S., in consultation with the Muniraj Atma Ramji. The purport of the reply was that the Muni Maharaj had received the letter and was highly pleased to hear of the undertaking about holding a Religious Parliament at Chicago. It was also stated that the Muni Raj regretted that owing to oldage, religious restrictions and some other private reasons he was unable to personally attend the Parliament of religions in compliance with the invitation. As desired, two photos of the Muniraj and a short biographical account of him together with some other interesting photos were also sent, an acknowledgment for which was requested.

To this letter the following reply was received.

Chicago U.S.A. April 3rd, 1893

Muni Atmaramji,
9, Bank Street Fort,
Presidency Mills Co. Ld.

Reverend Sir,

I am very much delighted to receive your acceptance of your appointment together with the photographs and the biography of your remarkable life. Is it not possible for you to attend the Parliament in person? It would give us great pleasure to meet you. At any rate, will you not be able to prepare a paper which will convey to the occidental mind, a clear account of the Jain Faith, which you so honorably represent? It will give us great pleasure and promote the ends of the Parliament if you are able to render this service.

I send you several copies of my second report. Hoping to hear from you soon and favorably, I remain with fraternal regards,

Yours cordially,
John Henry Barrows,
Chairman,
Committee on Religious Congress.

A reply to the above letter was sent through Shah Magan Lai Dalpat Ram, acknowledging the receipt of the letter and intimating that, in compliance with the wishes expressed therein, the Muni Maharaj had undertaken to write a contribution on the Jain Faith.

The following is the reply received.

Chicago U.S.A. June 12th 1893.

My dear Sir,

I am desired by the Rev, Dr. Barrows to make an immediate acknowledgment of your favour of May 13th. It is eminently to be desired that there should be present at the Parliament of Religions, a learned representative of the Jain community.

We are indeed sorry that there is no prospect of having the Muni Atmaramji with us and trust the community over which he presides will depute some one to represent. It is, I trust, needless for me to say that your delegate will be received by us in Chicago with every distinction, and during his stay here, will receive our hospitality in as great a measure as we are able to accord it. If you therefore decide to send a representative, will you kindly cable the fact to me? The paper which learned Muni is preparing, will indeed be very welcome and will be given a place in the programme in keeping with the high rank of its author. Although we here in Chicago are a long distance from you, the name of Muni Atmaramji is frequently alluded to in religious discussions. For the purpose of illustrating the volumes which are to record the proceedings of the Parliament of Religions I am in want of a few pictures to illustrate the rites and ceremonies of the Jain Faith. May I ask you to procure these for me (at any expense) and send at your earliest convenience.

I am,
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM PIPE,
Private Secretary.

This letter was passed on by Muni Atma Ramji to the Jain Association, India, with the remarks that it would be well if the Jains at Bombay were to consider the matter of sending Vir Chand Raghavji Gandhi as a representative of Jain faith to the Parliament. He added that by his deputation as a delegate to the Parliament of the religions of the world he would be able to give publicity to the religion of the Jains to all those who did not know what Jainism and its tenets were, and that the course was calculated to disseminate the truths of Jainism far and wide. This opinion of the Muniraj was accepted by the gentlemen of Bombay, because they implicitly believed in his words and were convinced that the opinion expressed by Muniraj could never be against their scripture or prejudicial to them in any way, for they well knew that in the modern times there was none equal to him in the knowledge and scholarship of Jain religious literature. Having thus considered the matter, the Jain Association of Bombay requested Mr. Vir Chand Gandhi to go as their delegate to Chicago. On this occasion at the request of Mr. Vir Chand Gandhi as well as that of Chicago committee on Religious Congress the Muniraj wrote this work in the form of questions and answers on Jainism. I venture to publish the work for the benefit of my brethren. As the book was specially written for the Chicago Parliament and contained answers to the questions received from Chicago, it was aptly entitled the “Chicago Prashnotar i.e., Questions and Answers on Jainism for the Chicago Parliament of religions. The name and learning of the author of the book being universally known, it is needless for me to dilate on the merits of his books. Nor can I do justice to the task, even if I were to attempt it. How can I be considered qualified enough to do full justice to the merits of the works of an author about whom occidental scholars and savants have expressed such a high opinion? The following is an extract in this connection from the English translation of Upasakdasang Sutra by Dr. A. F. Rodolph Hornell, Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.

“In a third Appendix (No. III) I have put together some additional information, that I have been able to gather since publishing the several fasciculi. For some of this information, I am indebted to Muni Maharaj Atma Ramji, Anand Vijayji, the well-known and highly respected Sadhu of the Jain community throughout India, and author of (among others) two very useful works in Hindi, the Jaina Tattvadarsha. mentioned in note 276 and the Ajnana Timira Bhaskara. I was placed in communication with him through the kindness of Mr. Magan Lai Dalpat Ram. My only regret is that I had not the advantage of his invaluable assistance from the very beginning of my work. For some useful suggestions and corrections I am also indebted to Mr. Virchand R. Gandhi, the Honorary Secretary to the Jain Association of India.”

On the 21st page of “The World’s Parliament of Religions,” published in London, there is a photo of the Muniji Maharaj bearing the following eulogy.

“No man has so peculiarly indentified himself with the interests of the Jain Community as Muni Atmaramji. He is one of the noble bands sworn from the day of initiation to the end of life to work day and night for the high mission they have undertaken. He is the High priest of the Jain community and is recognised as the highest living authority on Jain Religion and literature by Oriental scholars.”

The above has also appeared at page 3 of the treatise entitled “Eulogies to holy places.” Dr. Hoernell has written certain eulogistic verses in Sanskrit on Muniji in the beginning of his publication on Upasak Dasang Sutra, the translation of which is given below: —

“(1) Thou art like the sun in dispelling the black clouds of ignorance; thou establishest the minds of others on the sea of nector of good and noble instructions; thou cuttest asunder all knots of doubts; thou art beyond the eighteen blemishes condemned by Jainism. Thou art unsurpassingly great in the knowledge of the spiritual lore of Jains and that thou art all-wise.

(2) For the purpose of dispelling the ignorance of all good men, thou hast written the works entitled “Agyan Timirbhaskar” and “Jain Tattvadarsha.”

(3 & 4). O Master of bliss, O glorious soul, O Enjoyer of spiritual knowledge, O great sage, O unfailing answerer of all my questions; O purified soul! In recognition of the good thou hast done me, I dedicate this book to thee in all sincerety of feeling as a mark of my gratitude.”