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Shri Champatray, barrister is one who has put in his entire mind, body and wealth for the expansion of Jainism in foreign countries. He believed in Jain scriptures very deeply and he was considered to be a determinant follower of Jainism of modern age who has devoted all his energy for the development of Jainism. He stayed in America and Europe for many years. He created literature in modern style. He wrote many Jain books into English, the important among them are : (i) Key to knowledge He presented the principles of Jainism in his characteristic modern style. He studied these principles in consideration with these of other religions so that people of other religions can also read them with interest. It was because of his deep knowledge of various religions that the Religion Conference of Kashi had honored him by awarding title of Vidya-Varidhi. He started library of Jain books in London so that Jain literature may be available in foreign countries. He had sent many Jain books to foreign universities as a gift so that interest can be inculcated in Jainism.
Childhood & Study: Shri Champatray was born in the year around 1872 AD in Chainsukhdasji Haveli of Delhi. Lala Chandramalji and Shrimati Parvatidevi were his parents. The family had deep Jain impressions since long traditions and hence the virtues like daily Deva-darshan at Jain temples, worship, reading of scriptures, reciting sacred names on rosary, avoiding eating at night and keeping of promises at any cost etc. were naturally inherited by the child. Champatray had three elder brothers but all of them had died in very young age. Champatray, therefore, got the love of his parents as their only child. But, unfortunately, his mother also died when he was only six years of age and Lala Sohanlal Bankelal, the elder brother of his father adopted Champatray as his son. Lala Sohanlalji was considered to be one of the richest men in Delhi in those days. Champatrayji was put up to a private school named Kala Mahal for learning with his good deeds of previous lives; Champatray was healthy and charming. He was very intelligent also. He passed his matriculation examination in first class and therefore, he was admitted to the famous saint Stephen College of Delhi. Since he was very outstanding in his studies, he was sent to England in 1892 for the study of barristership and he returned to India in 1897 after achieving that degree.
Family life & Business: During his stay in England, for the study of barristership, he was very much impressed by the English culture and even after coming back to India, he was considering himself to be highly learned, cultured and progressive man. He was very much famous as a great advocate of law within a few years and then he was appointed as chief-barrister in the criminal department of the High Court of Avadh. Even with so much success, he was never away from honesty, integrity and truthfulness. He accepted very few cases and refused to handle undeserving cases. He encouraged junior advocates and he was popularly known as uncle Jain. ------------------------------------------ |
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