Mahatma
Gandhi, a Hindu, was the preeminent leader
of
the Indian Independence movement in British-ruled India.
(October
1869 – 1948)
Employing
non-evident civil disobedience, Gandhi led India
to
independence and inspired movements for civil rights
and
freedom across the world.
He
is unofficially called the The
Father of the Nation.
Gandhi's
vision of an independent India, based on 'religious pluralism',
however was challenged in the early 1940's by a new Muslim
nationalism which was demanding a separate
Muslim homeland
carved out of India. Eventually, in August 1947, Britain granted
independence...but the British Empire was partitioned into 2
dominions:
a Hindu-majority India and Muslim Pakistan.
As many displaced Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs made their way to their
'new lands', religious violence broke out. Gandhi visited the
affected areas...attempting to provide solace; he undertook several
'fasts' unto death to promote religious harmony.
A Hindu Nationalist assassinated Gandhi (at age 78) on January 30,
1948
by firing 3 bullets into his chest at point-blank range.
Gandhi, more or less, lived an Islamic life. What made Gandhi
GANDHI, was his faith...which became the bedrock of his ideas and
principles. However, if Gandhi failed in successfully repressing
Muslim nationalism, it is because Hindu fundamentalism had also been
rising.
Mahatma Gandhi's battle was spiritual.
In his days of 'fasting' Mahatma Gandhi gave us
great philosophies for daily living and standards by which to live
in times of violence and war.
When I admire the wonders of a sunset...or the beauty of the moon,
my soul expands in the worship of the creator.
I look only to the good qualities of men. Not being faultless
myself, I won't presume to probe into the faults of others.
God sometimes does try to the utmost, those whom he wishes to
bless.
There is nothing that wastes the body like worry; and one who has
any faith in God, should be ashamed to worry about anything
whatsoever.
In prayer, is is better to have a heart without words...than words
without a heart.
Is has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves
honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings.
If we are to teach real peace in this world...and if we are to
carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the
children.
To give service to a single heart by a single act...is better than
a thousand heads bowing in prayer.
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need...but not for
man's greed.
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a
few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
It is easy enough to be friendly to one's friends. But to
befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the
quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.
Happiness is when what you think...what you say...
and what you do...are in harmony!
Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...September 19, 2016
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