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ACARYA VIJAYAVALLABHASÚRI COMMEMORATION VOLUME
UNITY OF ALL FAITHS During the unsettled period in the undivided Punjāb, officers and their families of all faiths held him in high respect. Wives of many military officers attended his lecture meetings and approached him for their doubts and problems. His approach to all problems was based on eclectic, comprehensive and universal outlook which was a key to his popularity amongst people of all sects and faiths.
In later stage of his life, he took keen interest in fostering unity amongst all sects of Jainas. He stood for removal of man-made divisions and sub-divisions. To succeed in his erstwhile mission, he had started spade work years before. All his discourses touched one focal point-unity amongst all sects of society. He believed in religious toleration. He translated abstract concept of humanism, freedom of life and religion into rational and practical service of social progress.
'DO NOT BE INDOLENT, O GAUTAMA' In Ācārya's life, one found a puissant flow of spiritual practicability. Decisiveness, resultant of natural power and vision, was a motivating force of his outlook on life and society. He accepted Jainism as a rule of inner existence and inspiration for humanitarian activities. 'Do not be indolent, O Gautama, even for a moment—this death-less message of Lord Mahāvīra found a touching echo in the daily life of Ācārya Vijayavallabhasūri. He served humanity and religion in its struggle for lasting peace, friendship and unity not only amongst the people of his own faith but also amongst the general mass of humanity. He loved and died for the welfare of mankind. He worked ceaselessly for a better-ordered society, more just and freer mass of humanity. His death on the night of 22nd September, 1954 at the age of eighty-four cast a serious gloom in the vast ocean of mankind. Nature also felt the void which was illustrative in the blue firmament, when the mortal remains of this devoted soul started on the last lap of his journey. The lustrous human body of this great pioneer of educational and social reformation is no more; but the ennobling ideals he left behind will remain so long as humanity lives. He left a message and a mission. His divine soul serves as a beacon light to achieve success.
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