Friday, July 25, 2008
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Notes On Gandhi
Albert Einstein admired Gandhi for his dedication to non-violence, realizing it was an 'antidote' for the explosiveness of the atom bomb.
Mohandas Gandhi is credited with beginning assaults on three enormous areas that would be echoed in other countries throughout the century: racism, colonialism, and violence. For Americans (and also for the rest of the world), a notable leader for change who used many of the teachings of Gandhi was Martin Luther King, Jr.
Gandhi greatly admired the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy (especially for his book The Kingdom of God is Within You), and named one of his communal farms after him. He also stated that he learned much of his ideas of non-violence from Jesus Christ (although he was not a Christian). He also cited Henry David Thoreau as a source for the idea of civil disobedience.
"'Persons in power,' Gilbert Murray prophetically wrote about Gandhi in the Hibbert Journal in 1918, 'should be very careful how they deal with a man who cares nothing for sensual pleasure, nothing for riches, nothing for comfort or praise, or promotion, but is simply determined to do what he believes to be right. He is a dangerous and uncomfortable enemy, because his body which you can always conquer gives you so little purchase upon his soul.'"
The complete collection of the writings of Mohandas Gandhi runs to 90 whole volumes. Included in his work is the autobiography he wrote in 1925 An Autobiography, or The Story of My Experiments With Truth.
Here is a short list of quotes from Gandhi, who was called Mahatma (great soul) by the people of India:
'Peace between countries must rest on the solid foundation of love between individuals.'
'We must be the change we wish to see.'
'Let hundreds like me parish, but let truth prevail.'
'The seeker after truth should be humbler than the dust.'
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Comments (4)
In the past I have received criticism for quoting from Ghandi. I do not understand why some people are so aggresive against a message of peace. Ghandi was for me a person who walked his talk ... if only other people could appreciate something of the wisdom he brought to the world.
Non-violence is an act that transcends time. Those who are agitated easily usually do not have the patience to realize the outcome. Consequently, the philosophy of non-violence is misunderstood. Non-violence attitude is a quality that needs to be cultivated first at the personal level before you can apply it to the enemies. I wish there are more people like you who appreciate the wisdom of Gandhi.
I like that quote by Murray. That is exactly the kind of person I strive to be.... someone who does the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
@harmony0stars - Powers to you all the way.