Mohandas Gandhi was born 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar, India. Through his campaign of non-violence he not only liberated India, he also taught the world the way of peace. He was 'named' Mahatma (Great Soul), by the poet Rabindranath Tagore (http://www.redhotpawn.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=7104&page=24).
October is considered by many to be 'Gandhi month'. The intent of this thread is to post stories, contributions and links of this remarkable individual.
Albert Einstein said of him:
Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.
An 'activist' of the universal order, Gandhi spoke out on behalf of women, the poor, animals (he was also vegetarian), religious tolerance, racial equality, and the untouchables (the lowest and most oppressed of the barbaric Hindu caste system).
Gandhi miraculously brought together a horribly fractionated India to resist British rule and in the process inspired countless individuals worldwide. One of the best known of these was Dr Martin Luther King (http://www.redhotpawn.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=8404)who led the civil rights movement in the United States.
King wrote:
Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony.
We may ignore Gandhi at our own risk.
On January 30, 1948 Gandhi was assassinated. His last words were "He Ram, He Ram" ["Oh God, Oh God"].
And as if in answer to him, God took the body but left behind Gandhi's priceless legacy:
valuing all people regardless of race, religion or sex
compassion towards all living beings
an unshakeable commitment to non-violence
active but peaceful resistance to injustice and tyranny
hope that humans can indeed achieve humanity
Truly a 'great soul' that lived and died trying to set the angel in us free.
In friendship,
prad
Below are some Gandhi quotes to start off this thread:
Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.
Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacities. She has the right to participate in the minutest details in the activities of man, and she has an equal right of freedom and liberty with him.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
Hatred ever kills, love never dies such is the vast difference between the two. What is obtained by love is retained for all time. What is obtained by hatred proves a burden in reality for it increases hatred.
It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.
The test of friendship is assistance in adversity, and that too, unconditional assistance. Co-operation which needs consideration is a commercial contract and not friendship. Conditional co-operation is like adulterated cement which does not bind.
It may be long before the law of love will be recognised in international affairs. The machineries of government stand between and hide the hearts of one people from those of another.
Non-cooperation is an attempt to awaken the masses, to a sense of their dignity and power. This can only be done by enabling them to realize that they need not fear brute force, if they would but know the soul within.
As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as religion over-riding morality. Man, for instance, cannot be untruthful, cruel or incontinent and claim to have God on his side.
Even as wisdom often comes from the mouths of babes, so does it often come from the mouths of old people. The golden rule is to test everything in the light of reason and experience, no matter from where it comes.
God is, even though the whole world deny him. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.
My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realising Him.
There are times when you have to obey a call which is the highest of all, i.e. the voice of conscience even though such obedience may cost many a bitter tear, and even more, separation from friends, from family, from the state to which you may belong, from all that you have held as dear as life itself. For this obedience is the law of our being.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
"I want freedom for the full expression on my personality."
Mahatma Gandhi
"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."
Mahatma Gandhi
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
Mahatma Gandhi
Originally posted by pradtfHe is, indeed, a great man, prad. I think I may have to watch the film made in the '80 this weekend.
Mohandas Gandhi was born 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar, India. Through his campaign of non-violence he not only liberated India, he also taught the world the way of peace. He was 'named' Mahatma (Great Soul), by the poet Rabindranath Tagore (http://www.redhotpawn.com/board/showthread.php?threadid=7104&page=24).
October is considered by many to be 'Gandh ...[text shortened]... obedience is the law of our being.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
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It is good to see you about, prad. I have missed your posts.
Originally posted by elvendreamgirlI find Ghandi to be such an inspiration. His kindness, compassion, strong sense of justice, ethics, and resoluteness of purpose stand out as a wonderful example of the potential of humanity. His life is a beacon that leads me and, I know, countless others to live and be better.
He is, indeed, a great man, prad. I think I may have to watch the film made in the '80 this weekend.
I hear stories of him from my parents-in-law. My husband’s grandfather and he exchanged letters during the time of the freedom movement in India. I am proud of that. These things make him seem closer.
And, Sarah, enjoy the movie! One of the most powerful moments in it is when Ghandi said to a crowd of people who began to speak of violence to fight injustice, “…I too am willing to die for this cause. But there is no cause for which I am willing to kill.”
in peace
Ranjana
Originally posted by imveganYes, that is a wonderful, powerful moment. I have seen the film several times, and I can't wait to watch it again.
I find Ghandi to be such an inspiration. His kindness, compassion, strong sense of justice, ethics, and resoluteness of purpose stand out as a wonderful example of the portential of humanity. His life is a beacon that leads me and, I know, countless others to live and be better.
I hear stories of him from my parents-in-law. My husband’s grandfather ...[text shortened]... I too am willing to die for this cause. But there is no cause for which I am willing to kill.”
Originally posted by imveganWhat are your thoughts concerning Mohandus Ghandi's relationship with his wife? I always found his behavior towards her a bit disturbing, though I understand that he believed that his ability to remain strong and compassionate in the face of adversity was contingent on his remaining chaste. Does anybody know if his wife has written about their relationship?
I find Ghandi to be such an inspiration. His kindness, compassion, strong sense of justice, ethics, and resoluteness of purpose stand out as a wonderful example of the potential of humanity. His life is a beacon that leads me and, I kn ...[text shortened]... s no cause for which I am willing to kill.”
in peace
Ranjana
Originally posted by bbarrYes, Gandhi's wife has written about her struggle with Gandhi's celibacy. In the earlier years I think it made her unhappy- but then again, Gandhi
What are your thoughts concerning Mohandus Ghandi's relationship with his wife? I always found his behavior towards her a bit disturbing, though I understand that he believed that his ability to remain strong and compassionate in the face of adversity was contingent on his remaining chaste. Does anybody know if his wife has written about their relationship?
kept slipping....However in the later years she was completely supportive of his decision.
There is a book written about Kasturbai's life, the name evades me tho.
Sangeeta.
The following is a story which has served to inspire in to be an example. I hope through this story you will see that indeed it is by living with integrity with our words and deeds, that we can inspire the world.
On Gandhi's ashram there lived a family who's son was having some health problems. The doctor told the parents that the boy would have not remain off of sugar for an extended period of time in order to get better. Relieved to finally have a solution to make their son better, the parents instructed their child to not touch anything with sugar in it. The boy reluctantly agreed.
Now, in this family's kitchen there was a huge pot of Indian sweets which everyone continued to enjoy, however the little boy was left out. On many occasions the mother would find her son hiding in a corner secretly eating the treats. Each time she found him, she would chastise him, but would herself continue to partake in the delights which her son could not enjoy. The last time she found her son eating the desserts she decided to take the boy to Bapu (Gandhi's affectionate title as father) and perhaps if he asked the little boy to stop, her son would comply.
When the mother and son arrived at Bapu's door, she explained the whole situation and asked him to please tell her son to not eat any sugar otherwise he will be terribly ill. To this Gandhi calmly replied, "Please come back in three weeks" Surprised at his answer, the mother reluctantly left.
Three weeks had passed and the mother returned with her son. Bapu took the boy aside for a few moments, whispered some words, and then promptly bade them all farewell. Once again surprised, she left with her child.
Now, many days had passed and the boy was not found eating any sweets. The woman was so delighted to see this change in her son. She wondered to herself what Bapu possibly could have said to the boy to make him stop eating the desserts he was so addicted to, and why did he ask them to come back in three weeks? Mystified at Bapu's actions, she approached him and kindly asked him to explain himself. Bapu replied, " I asked you to come back in three weeks because before I could tell anyone to stop eating sugar, I had to stop eating it first. Then when you came the last time, I told your son that I had not eaten any sugar for the past three weeks and would continue to not eat sugar until your son was once again allowed to." Immediately, the mother understood the power of example in inciting change.
Sincerely,
Sangeeta
Wonderful story, Sangeeta. Like many such stories, I don't know whether it is "true" or not, in the sense that I don't know whether it happened in that way in real life, but it is certainly "true" in the sense that an example can be worth so much more than an exhortation.
Best Regards,
Paul
would Gandhi's non-violent protest methods have been successful against, say Nazi Germany, Stalin's Russia or Mao's China? i think not, and that Gandhi's real genius lay in the political insight that the British would only go so far. given previous violent encounters between the British and Indians seeking independence, what were the factors that made the British reluctant to put down Gandhi's protests using force? for one thing, to do so would have been to allow themselves to be cast in the mould of aggressor. but were they mainly afraid of unfavorable public opinion at home, or did they have a new, more humanitarian leadership? whatever it as, Gandhi perceived it and made use of it.
Originally posted by dfm65perhaps not - but i don't think we'll ever know.
would Gandhi's non-violent protest methods have been successful against, say Nazi Germany, Stalin's Russia or Mao's China? i think not, and that Gandhi's real genius lay in the political insight that the British would only go so far.
the matter is always under considerable debate for decades.
it wasn't that the british weren't violent - but they weren't out to commit genocide either.
and it should not be assumed that non-cooperation is a passive mechanism - it isn't and it can be crippling.
i think the problem is that people sometimes get the idea that gandhi's non-violence means people sit around and just be passive. gandhi was not passive.
i think while you are correct in that gandhi did understand the british very well, he also understood that a weaker party isn't going to overcome a stronger one by brute force. gandhi's approach takes this into account, i think.
in friendship,
prad
edit to padfoot: the movie really is good. interestingly enough, in the movie, gandhi was asked in it by bourke about using non-violence against hitler. gandhi replied "not without many defeats ... but are there no defeats in war?" i think gandhi's non-violence gave the weak a weapon against the strong.
Originally posted by dfm65Likely Ghandhis non-violence would have been litle succesfull against the Nazis. Against a superior foe determined on genocide the jews and easteuropeans ended up being killed when they resisted and when they cooperated.
would Gandhi's non-violent protest methods have been successful against, say Nazi Germany, Stalin's Russia or Mao's China? i think not, and that Gandhi's real genius lay in the political insight that the British would only go so far. given previous violent encounters between the British and Indians seeking independence, what were the factors that made the ...[text shortened]... ave a new, more humanitarian leadership? whatever it as, Gandhi perceived it and made use of it.
However it seems to work fine against those that settles for violent oppression. Eg. Ghandhi in India, similar movements in Indo-China and the Civil Rights movement in the states (litle different though).
As an other example cristianity subverted the roman empire, though they later forgot the non-violence.
The first Palestinian Intifada could be an other example, there seemed to be more general support for the palestinian cause at that time.
Perhaps it is so that when fighting an enemy that you can not defeat, you're better off with non-violence as it stands a better chance of securing the symphati and support of outsiders that can have a decisive influence on your enemy.