Gandhi and Comparative Religions

The comparative study of religions has nevertoday in all the Hindu shrines ...
been merely an academic concern forMy zeal never takes me to the rejection of any
Mahatma Gandhi, the great Hindu spiritualist andof the essential things in
leader. Since the days of his youthHinduism." (6) Hinduism according to Gandhi, did
he has been existentially in the search of suchnot have one central book for
studies as has been evident from hisreference, no particular God of worship nor one
famous book "The story of my experimentsparticular way of God realization.
with truth."India is a country where people areWhether he is a theist or an atheist, he is a
predominantly religious. Religion and spiritualityHindu.Whether he believes in one absolute or
are firmly rooted in the minds of the Indianmany Gods, he is a Hindu. Whether he
people. Some countries are well knownbelieves in Vedas or not, he remains a Hindu.
for their political institutions, others for theirGandhi was therefore liberal enough
economic prosperity while someto take idol worship as a part of human nature,
others for their social advancement. India is wellthough he did not believe in idol
known for her philosophy andworship as such. Gandhi, was, however, deadly
religion. According to Max Muller the study ofagainst untouchability, the greatest
religion is incomplete unless it isplague of the Hindu society according to Gandhi,
studied with reference to India. To quote him,which is the duty of every true
"Take religion and where can youHindu or combat. Gandhi was also against animal
study its true origin, its natural growth, and itssacrifice though prescribed in the
inevitable decay better than in India,Vedas as it went against his concept of
the home of Brahmanism, the birth place ofnon-violence. Instead he advocated the
Buddhism and the refuge ofsacrifice of animality in us in the form of lust,
zoroastrianism even now the matter of newgreed, anger, hatred, ill-will etc.
superstitions - and why not, in theReferring to Rama and Krishna, the most popular
future the regenerate child of the purest faith, ifGods of Hinduism, Gandhi said,
only purified from the dust of"My Krishna is not the historical Krishna. I believe
nineteen centuries?" (1) . To others, Religion isin the Krishna of my imagination
one condition among so many otheras a perfect incarnation, spotless in every sense
countries, but to the Indian people it is one greatof the word, the inspirer of the Gita,
sustaining force, pertaining to alland the inspirer of the lives of millions of human
the spheres of their lives. Mahatma Gandhi whobeings. But if it is proved to me ...
was born and brought up in Indiathat the Krishna of the Mahabharata actually did
could not escape this strong influence of religionsome of the acts attributed to Him,
in all his activities.In ancient times it was aeven at the risk of being banished from the
common belief that religion is a matter ofHindu fold, I should not hesitate to
individualreject that Krishna as God incarnate." (7) Though
experience. But modern psychology has showndeeply religious by nature, Gandhi
that there is no such thing as adid not believe in rituals, customs, traditions,
merely individual experience, which is absolutelydogmas and other formalities
cut off from the society. There isobserved for the sake of religion. Like Swami
an important element of truth in the views ofVivekananda and Rabindranath
Durkheim and other members of theTagore, Gandhi's religion was not confined to
French Sociological school, who maintain thatTemples, Churches, books, rituals and
religion, is essentially a socialother outer forms. Thus Gandhi's concept of
phenomenon. The views of Jesus: "Render toreligion was not bound by any
Caesar the things that are Caesar's andformalities. His God may be a personal God to
to God the things that are God's" did not findthose who needs his personal
much favour in Gandhi. Rather hispresence. He may be a law to those who
view was more in accordance with the writingsconcentrate their minds on the orderliness
of H.G. Wells, according to whomof the universe. He may be an embodied being
"the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven as Jesusto those who need his touch.
preached it, it was no less than aAccording to Gandhi God may have a thousand
bold and uncompromising demand for a completenames as Ishwara, Siva, Vishnu,
change and cleansing of the lifeRama, Krsna, Jehovah, Christ, Allah etc. according
of our struggling races an utter cleansing withoutto the traditions in which a man is
and within." (2) . Gandhi's religionbrought up. In the words of Gandhi, "Is there one
was spiritual humanism because he declared thatGod for the Mussalmans and
the service of the poor whom heanother for the Hindus, Parsis, and Christians? No,
called "Daridranarayana" is a true service of God.there is only one omnipresent
In other words, Gandhi found GodGod. He is named variously, and we remember
amidst his creation; this creation is confined nothim by the name which is most
only to India, his own land and notfamiliar to us."Gandhi also advocated his views on
Hinduism alone, the religion to which he belonged.Islam, another great world religion. Islam is a
It consisted of men belonging toreligion of strict monotheism and rigorous ethical
different land and different religions. Thereforediscipline. Gandhi had a very high
the study of comparative religionesteem for this religion and regarded it as a
was important to Gandhi. The best principle ofreligion of peace, love, kindness and
different religions, he felt, should bebrotherhood of all men. It may be true that
assimilated for the advancement of oursometimes the followers of Islam often
society.In India the word 'Dharma' is used totook to sword for the spread of their religion,
mean 'religion'. But it should be noted, that thebut this was not in accordance with
word 'Dharma' in Hinduism has a much widerthe teachings of Koran. As Gandhi himself said in
connotation that what we ordinarilythis connection, "I do regard Islam
mean by the word religion. The word 'Dharma'to be a religion of peace in the same sense as
comes from the root 'Dhre' whichChristianity, Buddhism and Hinduism
means to 'sustain'. 'Dharma' is thus the greatestare." (9) The charges of fanaticism against Islam
sustaining force or the bindingcannot be justified, according to
force of the society. The goal of 'Dharma' is toGandhi as there are several passages in the
create mental and spiritual fellowshipKoran which speak of religious
among all men and to regulate its relation with alltoleration. Of course, there is a place for Jihad in
living entities. It thus tries toIslam and this Jihad is generally
keep the world in perfect equilibrium. It is thusinterpreted as aholy war against those who are
clear that the word 'Dharma' was notnot the followers of Islam. But
used in connection with any particular religion. AnyGandhi justifies the true meaning of Jihad by
religion, any custom, any creedsaying that the conditions laid down
could be brought under its fold and was thus outfor the Jihad are so strict that they are not
out secular. Gandhi's concept ofcapable of being fulfilled by everybody.
religion, therefore, brought under its fold peopleTo quote Gandhi, "where is the unerring general
belonging to different religions.The broad outlookto order Jihad? Where is the
of Mahatma Gandhi, the progressivesuffering and love and purification that much
interpretations of theprecede the very idea of drawing the
various ideas and concepts in the domain ofsword? We are too imperfect and impure and
religion, made it possible to facilitateselfish to resort to an armed conflict in
the study of comparative religion. Gandhi refersthe name of God." (10)Gandhi was also
to 'God' as 'Truth' and this has veryimpressed by the personal and social codes of
important bearings. The word 'Truth' has a muchbehavior that Islam
wider connotation than the termprescribes. In the Koran there are rules and
'God'. There may be non-believers in God. But noregulations for virtues like obedience to
one can deny 'truth' for even theparents, avoidance of adultery, cheating and lying,
atheist must accept the power of 'Truth'.refraining from theft, murder etc.
Gandhi's description about 'God', again,The five pillars of Islam, which prescribes prayer,
points out that it is something, which can befasting, alms giving and hospitality
accepted by all men in the way heare the duties that every Muslim has to perform.
likes. The following statement of Gandhi regardingAll these aspects of Islam
God would make it clear. "To meinfluenced Gandhi, a great deal.Amongst religions,
God is Truth and Love. God is Ethics and Morality.other than Hinduism, no other religion inspired,
God is Fearlessness. God isimpressed and
essence of life and light and yet He is above andinfluenced Gandhi as Christianity. In the concept
beyond all these. God isof Satyagraha, Gandhi was deeply
conscience. He is even the atheism of the atheist.influenced by the teachings of Jesus particularly
For in his boundlessness, Godthe sacrifice Jesus had to undergo
permits the atheist to live. He is the searcher ofduring crucification for a noble cause. The
hearts. He is a personal God toteachings of the New Testament specially
those who need his personal presence. He isthe Sermon: "You have heard that it hath been
embodied to those who need hissaid: An eye for an eye and a tooth
touch. He is the purest essence.... He is all thingsfor a tooth. But I say to you not to resist evil;
to all men. He is in us and yetbut if one strikes thee on thy right
above and beyond us." (3)Mahatma Gandhi'scheek, turn to him thy other also" impressed
mission was not only to humanise religion but alsoGandhi very much. Satyagraha, in the
to moralise it.hands of Gandhi had been a weapon of
He would reject any religious doctrine, which wasconquering evil by good. Gandhi said that he
in conflict with morality.According to Gandhi religionhad the same liking for the Sermon as he had
and morality are inseparably bound up with eachfor the Gita. To use Gandhi's words,
other. To Gandhi, "There is no religion higher than"Today supposing I was deprived of the Gita and
truth and Righteouness." Moralityforgot all its contents but had a
is prized by almost all the great religions of thecopy of the Sermon, I would deprive the same
world. The emphasis on morality, byjoy from it as I do from the Gita."
Gandhi helped his ideas to acquire a universalistic"Gandhi loved Christianity because of its absolute
outlook.Gandhi's religion was a federation ofemphasis on love as the most
different religious creeds, theological schoolsethical virtue. But Gandhi disliked the claims of
and sectarian faiths that have survived in IndiaChristianity as superior over all
from ancient times. People belongingother religions of the world. But though Gandhi
to different religions would go to him for hishad a deep respect for the different
advice and blessings on differentreligions he was against proselytisation. He was
matters. All through his life Gandhi devoted muchagainst certain forms of missionary
time and energy for theactivities specially those relating to conversion.
promotion of Hindu Muslim unity and also fastedGandhi was not opposed to
for his cause on many occasions.conversion if it was based on one's will but he
In the wake of the partition of the country,was against any use of force or
hundreds and thousands of Hindus andpropaganda in the matter of conversion." As he
Muslims were killed in Punjab, Bengal and Bihar.remarked, "A rose does not need to
Gandhi threw himself into apreach. It simply spreads its fragrance. The
struggle to heal the breach between the twofragrance is its own sermon. The
communities. Gandhi wantedfragrance of religion and spiritual life is much finer
communal harmony and peace not only betweenand much subtler than that of a
the Hindus and the Muslims butrose." (12)From the comparative study of
between all sections of the people who believereligions, Gandhi was convinced that a mere
India to be their home, no matter todoctrinaire approach in the field of religion does
what faith they may belong. Gandhi had the goodnot help to create inter religious
fortune to have as his colleague'sfellowship. Dogmatic religions do not help to
people belonging to different religions. Twopromote creative dialogue. The
important examples are those C.F.religions dogmas directly or indirectly breed an
Andrews and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Theattitude of dislike towards other
Ashram prayers of Gandhi hadreligions. Such an attitude does not help to
passages from holy books like the Gita, the Bibleprovide any meeting grounds for
and the Koran. This tradition stillreligions. Gandhi realized that true religion vitalizes
continues in India in most of the public meetingsand elevates the inner life of
and prayers. Gandhi alsohuman beings. The progress of any religion
maintained that a reverential study of thedepends on how effectively one has
different religious tradition is necessary.been able to realise the inner spirituality and
He felt that it is the duty of every cultured manconvictions in his day to day life. The
and woman to read sympatheticallyrituals, the symbols, the churches, the temples or
the scriptures of the world. To respect otherthe mosques are aids so long as
religion, a study of their scriptures, is athey help to nourish and fertilize the inner spiritual
sacred duty according to Gandhi. To understandlife of their followers. In their
the point of view of another faithtrue aspects all religions call for peace and
requires tolerance, sympathy, broad mindedness,brotherhood amongst man. The great
humility and willingness toreligions of the world should strive, according to
recognize Truth wherever it is to be found. If weGandhi, in promoting a life of self
posses these qualities we cancontrol, sacrifice, harmony, peace and
appreciate other's faith, traditions, customs,understanding amongst its followers so as to
culture and way of life. The prophetscreate a heaven on earth. We may conclude
and seers of different religions have brought tohere, in the words of Swami
mankind the consciousness of theVivekananda, one of the greatest champion of
unity underlying the whole universe and a deeppeace and understanding of religions,
sense of brotherhood of man.which Gandhi also supported : "If any one hopes
Gandhi therefore felt a need of the comparativethat this unity will come by the
study of religions to pave the waytriumph of any one religion and the destruction of
for unity and brotherhood amongst the followersthe others, to him I say, 'Brother,
of different religions.Mahatma Gandhi was ayours is an impossible hope.' Do I wish that a
Sanatani Hindu. His love for Hinduism was not blindChristian would become a Hindu ? God
love.forbid. Do I wish that a Hindu or Buddhist would
Gandhi spoke about the lofty ideals preached bybecome a Christian ? God forbid ...
Hinduism. Hinduism, according toThe Christian is not to become a Hindu or a
him is the most tolerant and liberal religion. HeBuddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to
was deeply impressed by the ethicalbecome a Christian. But each must assimilate the
and spiritual outlook of Hinduism. Gandhi said,spirit of the others and yet
"The chief value of Hinduism lies inpreserve his individuality and grow according to
holding the actual belief that all life is one i.e. all lifehis own law of growth."(13)The world does not
coming from one universalneed a new religion. What it does need are the
source, call it Allah, God or Parameshwara." (4)people who,
Gandhi was also very muchdiscovering the eternal and universal truths in
impressed by the teachings of the Gita saying,their own religion are bold enough to
"when one sees Me everywhere andlive in accordance with those truths. When it is
everything in Me, I am never lost to him and hedone, the dry outer forms of
is never lost to Me." (5) But Gandhireligions, which divide the entire human race into
at the same time was very radical in hisseveral groups, will crumble
approach and he did not hesitate inbefore the radiance and power of the mighty
criticizing those aspects of Hinduism which did nothuman spirit. The power of the human
appeal to his reason. Forsoul, knows no bounds, no limits and if religion is
example he was very much against the casteits vehicle then that vehicle will
system that was prevalent in Hinduism.surely participate in transforming the human
To quote Gandhi, "My religion is Hinduism ... I cansociety on its journey towards the
no more describe my feelings forDivine Being.Gandhi has been killed. Physically he is
Hinduism than for my wife ... Even so I feel aboutno more with us. But his spirit lives amidst
Hinduism with all its fault andus and within us, with all its glory than ever
limitations ... I know that the vice that is going onbefore.