| The comparative study of religions has never | | | | limitations ... I know that the vice that is |
| been merely an academic concern for | | | | going on today in all the Hindu shrines ... |
| | | | |
| Mahatma Gandhi, the great Hindu spiritualist | | | | My zeal never takes me to the rejection of |
| and leader. Since the days of his youth | | | | any of the essential things in |
| | | | |
| he has been existentially in the search of | | | | Hinduism." (6) Hinduism according to Gandhi, |
| such studies as has been evident from his | | | | did not have one central book for |
| | | | |
| famous book "The story of my experiments | | | | reference, no particular God of worship nor |
| with truth."India is a country where people | | | | one particular way of God realization. |
| are predominantly religious. Religion and | | | | |
| spirituality | | | | Whether he is a theist or an atheist, he is |
| | | | a Hindu.Whether he believes in one absolute |
| are firmly rooted in the minds of the Indian | | | | or many Gods, he is a Hindu. Whether he |
| people. Some countries are well known | | | | |
| | | | believes in Vedas or not, he remains a |
| for their political institutions, others for | | | | Hindu. Gandhi was therefore liberal enough |
| their economic prosperity while some | | | | |
| | | | to take idol worship as a part of human |
| others for their social advancement. India | | | | nature, though he did not believe in idol |
| is well known for her philosophy and | | | | |
| | | | worship as such. Gandhi, was, however, |
| religion. According to Max Muller the study | | | | deadly against untouchability, the greatest |
| of religion is incomplete unless it is | | | | |
| | | | plague of the Hindu society according to |
| studied with reference to India. To quote | | | | Gandhi, which is the duty of every true |
| him, "Take religion and where can you | | | | |
| | | | Hindu or combat. Gandhi was also against |
| study its true origin, its natural growth, | | | | animal sacrifice though prescribed in the |
| and its inevitable decay better than in | | | | |
| India, | | | | Vedas as it went against his concept of |
| | | | non-violence. Instead he advocated the |
| the home of Brahmanism, the birth place of | | | | |
| Buddhism and the refuge of | | | | sacrifice of animality in us in the form of |
| | | | lust, greed, anger, hatred, ill-will etc. |
| zoroastrianism even now the matter of new | | | | |
| superstitions - and why not, in the | | | | Referring to Rama and Krishna, the most |
| | | | popular Gods of Hinduism, Gandhi said, |
| future the regenerate child of the purest | | | | |
| faith, if only purified from the dust of | | | | "My Krishna is not the historical Krishna. I |
| | | | believe in the Krishna of my imagination |
| nineteen centuries?" (1) . To others, | | | | |
| Religion is one condition among so many other | | | | as a perfect incarnation, spotless in every |
| | | | sense of the word, the inspirer of the Gita, |
| | | | |
| countries, but to the Indian people it is | | | | and the inspirer of the lives of millions of |
| one great sustaining force, pertaining to all | | | | human beings. But if it is proved to me ... |
| | | | |
| | | | that the Krishna of the Mahabharata actually |
| the spheres of their lives. Mahatma Gandhi | | | | did some of the acts attributed to Him, |
| who was born and brought up in India | | | | |
| | | | even at the risk of being banished from the |
| could not escape this strong influence of | | | | Hindu fold, I should not hesitate to |
| religion in all his activities.In ancient | | | | |
| times it was a common belief that religion is | | | | reject that Krishna as God incarnate." (7) |
| a matter of individual | | | | Though deeply religious by nature, Gandhi |
| | | | |
| experience. But modern psychology has shown | | | | did not believe in rituals, customs, |
| that there is no such thing as a | | | | traditions, dogmas and other formalities |
| | | | |
| merely individual experience, which is | | | | observed for the sake of religion. Like |
| absolutely cut off from the society. There is | | | | Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath |
| | | | |
| | | | Tagore, Gandhi's religion was not confined |
| an important element of truth in the views | | | | to Temples, Churches, books, rituals and |
| of Durkheim and other members of the | | | | |
| | | | other outer forms. Thus Gandhi's concept of |
| French Sociological school, who maintain | | | | religion was not bound by any |
| that religion, is essentially a social | | | | |
| | | | formalities. His God may be a personal God |
| phenomenon. The views of Jesus: "Render to | | | | to those who needs his personal |
| Caesar the things that are Caesar's and | | | | |
| | | | presence. He may be a law to those who |
| to God the things that are God's" did not | | | | concentrate their minds on the orderliness |
| find much favour in Gandhi. Rather his | | | | |
| | | | of the universe. He may be an embodied being |
| view was more in accordance with the | | | | to those who need his touch. |
| writings of H.G. Wells, according to whom | | | | |
| | | | According to Gandhi God may have a thousand |
| "the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven as | | | | names as Ishwara, Siva, Vishnu, |
| Jesus preached it, it was no less than a | | | | |
| | | | Rama, Krsna, Jehovah, Christ, Allah etc. |
| bold and uncompromising demand for a | | | | according to the traditions in which a man is |
| complete change and cleansing of the life | | | | |
| | | | |
| of our struggling races an utter cleansing | | | | brought up. In the words of Gandhi, "Is |
| without and within." (2) . Gandhi's religion | | | | there one God for the Mussalmans and |
| | | | |
| was spiritual humanism because he declared | | | | another for the Hindus, Parsis, and |
| that the service of the poor whom he | | | | Christians? No, there is only one omnipresent |
| | | | |
| called "Daridranarayana" is a true service | | | | |
| of God. In other words, Gandhi found God | | | | God. He is named variously, and we remember |
| | | | him by the name which is most |
| amidst his creation; this creation is | | | | |
| confined not only to India, his own land and | | | | familiar to us."Gandhi also advocated his |
| not | | | | views on Islam, another great world religion. |
| | | | Islam is a |
| Hinduism alone, the religion to which he | | | | |
| belonged. It consisted of men belonging to | | | | religion of strict monotheism and rigorous |
| | | | ethical discipline. Gandhi had a very high |
| different land and different religions. | | | | |
| Therefore the study of comparative religion | | | | esteem for this religion and regarded it as |
| | | | a religion of peace, love, kindness and |
| was important to Gandhi. The best principle | | | | |
| of different religions, he felt, should be | | | | brotherhood of all men. It may be true that |
| | | | sometimes the followers of Islam often |
| assimilated for the advancement of our | | | | |
| society.In India the word 'Dharma' is used to | | | | took to sword for the spread of their |
| mean 'religion'. But it should be noted, that | | | | religion, but this was not in accordance with |
| the | | | | |
| | | | |
| word 'Dharma' in Hinduism has a much wider | | | | the teachings of Koran. As Gandhi himself |
| connotation that what we ordinarily | | | | said in this connection, "I do regard Islam |
| | | | |
| mean by the word religion. The word 'Dharma' | | | | to be a religion of peace in the same sense |
| comes from the root 'Dhre' which | | | | as Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism |
| | | | |
| means to 'sustain'. 'Dharma' is thus the | | | | are." (9) The charges of fanaticism against |
| greatest sustaining force or the binding | | | | Islam cannot be justified, according to |
| | | | |
| force of the society. The goal of 'Dharma' | | | | Gandhi as there are several passages in the |
| is to create mental and spiritual fellowship | | | | Koran which speak of religious |
| | | | |
| among all men and to regulate its relation | | | | toleration. Of course, there is a place for |
| with all living entities. It thus tries to | | | | Jihad in Islam and this Jihad is generally |
| | | | |
| keep the world in perfect equilibrium. It is | | | | interpreted as aholy war against those who |
| thus clear that the word 'Dharma' was not | | | | are not the followers of Islam. But |
| | | | |
| used in connection with any particular | | | | Gandhi justifies the true meaning of Jihad |
| religion. Any religion, any custom, any creed | | | | by saying that the conditions laid down |
| | | | |
| | | | for the Jihad are so strict that they are |
| could be brought under its fold and was thus | | | | not capable of being fulfilled by everybody. |
| out out secular. Gandhi's concept of | | | | |
| | | | To quote Gandhi, "where is the unerring |
| religion, therefore, brought under its fold | | | | general to order Jihad? Where is the |
| people belonging to different religions.The | | | | |
| broad outlook of Mahatma Gandhi, the | | | | suffering and love and purification that |
| progressive interpretations of the | | | | much precede the very idea of drawing the |
| | | | |
| various ideas and concepts in the domain of | | | | sword? We are too imperfect and impure and |
| religion, made it possible to facilitate | | | | selfish to resort to an armed conflict in |
| | | | |
| the study of comparative religion. Gandhi | | | | the name of God." (10)Gandhi was also |
| refers to 'God' as 'Truth' and this has very | | | | impressed by the personal and social codes of |
| | | | behavior that Islam |
| important bearings. The word 'Truth' has a | | | | |
| much wider connotation than the term | | | | prescribes. In the Koran there are rules and |
| | | | regulations for virtues like obedience to |
| 'God'. There may be non-believers in God. | | | | |
| But no one can deny 'truth' for even the | | | | parents, avoidance of adultery, cheating and |
| | | | lying, refraining from theft, murder etc. |
| atheist must accept the power of 'Truth'. | | | | |
| Gandhi's description about 'God', again, | | | | The five pillars of Islam, which prescribes |
| | | | prayer, fasting, alms giving and hospitality |
| points out that it is something, which can | | | | |
| be accepted by all men in the way he | | | | are the duties that every Muslim has to |
| | | | perform. All these aspects of Islam |
| likes. The following statement of Gandhi | | | | |
| regarding God would make it clear. "To me | | | | influenced Gandhi, a great deal.Amongst |
| | | | religions, other than Hinduism, no other |
| God is Truth and Love. God is Ethics and | | | | religion inspired, impressed and |
| Morality. God is Fearlessness. God is | | | | |
| | | | influenced Gandhi as Christianity. In the |
| essence of life and light and yet He is | | | | concept of Satyagraha, Gandhi was deeply |
| above and beyond all these. God is | | | | |
| | | | influenced by the teachings of Jesus |
| conscience. He is even the atheism of the | | | | particularly the sacrifice Jesus had to |
| atheist. For in his boundlessness, God | | | | undergo |
| | | | |
| permits the atheist to live. He is the | | | | during crucification for a noble cause. The |
| searcher of hearts. He is a personal God to | | | | teachings of the New Testament specially |
| | | | |
| those who need his personal presence. He is | | | | the Sermon: "You have heard that it hath |
| embodied to those who need his | | | | been said: An eye for an eye and a tooth |
| | | | |
| touch. He is the purest essence.... He is | | | | for a tooth. But I say to you not to resist |
| all things to all men. He is in us and yet | | | | evil; but if one strikes thee on thy right |
| | | | |
| above and beyond us." (3)Mahatma Gandhi's | | | | cheek, turn to him thy other also" impressed |
| mission was not only to humanise religion but | | | | Gandhi very much. Satyagraha, in the |
| also to moralise it. | | | | |
| | | | hands of Gandhi had been a weapon of |
| He would reject any religious doctrine, | | | | conquering evil by good. Gandhi said that he |
| which was in conflict with morality.According | | | | |
| to Gandhi religion and morality are | | | | had the same liking for the Sermon as he had |
| inseparably bound up with each | | | | for the Gita. To use Gandhi's words, |
| | | | |
| other. To Gandhi, "There is no religion | | | | "Today supposing I was deprived of the Gita |
| higher than truth and Righteouness." Morality | | | | and forgot all its contents but had a |
| | | | |
| | | | copy of the Sermon, I would deprive the same |
| is prized by almost all the great religions | | | | joy from it as I do from the Gita." |
| of the world. The emphasis on morality, by | | | | |
| | | | "Gandhi loved Christianity because of its |
| Gandhi helped his ideas to acquire a | | | | absolute emphasis on love as the most |
| universalistic outlook.Gandhi's religion was | | | | |
| a federation of different religious creeds, | | | | ethical virtue. But Gandhi disliked the |
| theological schools | | | | claims of Christianity as superior over all |
| | | | |
| and sectarian faiths that have survived in | | | | other religions of the world. But though |
| India from ancient times. People belonging | | | | Gandhi had a deep respect for the different |
| | | | |
| to different religions would go to him for | | | | religions he was against proselytisation. He |
| his advice and blessings on different | | | | was against certain forms of missionary |
| | | | |
| matters. All through his life Gandhi devoted | | | | activities specially those relating to |
| much time and energy for the | | | | conversion. Gandhi was not opposed to |
| | | | |
| promotion of Hindu Muslim unity and also | | | | conversion if it was based on one's will but |
| fasted for his cause on many occasions. | | | | he was against any use of force or |
| | | | |
| In the wake of the partition of the country, | | | | propaganda in the matter of conversion." As |
| hundreds and thousands of Hindus and | | | | he remarked, "A rose does not need to |
| | | | |
| Muslims were killed in Punjab, Bengal and | | | | preach. It simply spreads its fragrance. The |
| Bihar. Gandhi threw himself into a | | | | fragrance is its own sermon. The |
| | | | |
| struggle to heal the breach between the two | | | | fragrance of religion and spiritual life is |
| communities. Gandhi wanted | | | | much finer and much subtler than that of a |
| | | | |
| communal harmony and peace not only between | | | | rose." (12)From the comparative study of |
| the Hindus and the Muslims but | | | | religions, Gandhi was convinced that a mere |
| | | | |
| between all sections of the people who | | | | doctrinaire approach in the field of |
| believe India to be their home, no matter to | | | | religion does not help to create inter |
| | | | religious |
| what faith they may belong. Gandhi had the | | | | |
| good fortune to have as his colleague's | | | | fellowship. Dogmatic religions do not help |
| | | | to promote creative dialogue. The |
| people belonging to different religions. Two | | | | |
| important examples are those C.F. | | | | religions dogmas directly or indirectly |
| | | | breed an attitude of dislike towards other |
| Andrews and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The | | | | |
| Ashram prayers of Gandhi had | | | | religions. Such an attitude does not help to |
| | | | provide any meeting grounds for |
| passages from holy books like the Gita, the | | | | |
| Bible and the Koran. This tradition still | | | | religions. Gandhi realized that true |
| | | | religion vitalizes and elevates the inner |
| continues in India in most of the public | | | | life of |
| meetings and prayers. Gandhi also | | | | |
| | | | human beings. The progress of any religion |
| maintained that a reverential study of the | | | | depends on how effectively one has |
| different religious tradition is necessary. | | | | |
| | | | been able to realise the inner spirituality |
| He felt that it is the duty of every | | | | and convictions in his day to day life. The |
| cultured man and woman to read | | | | |
| sympathetically | | | | rituals, the symbols, the churches, the |
| | | | temples or the mosques are aids so long as |
| the scriptures of the world. To respect | | | | |
| other religion, a study of their scriptures, | | | | they help to nourish and fertilize the inner |
| is a | | | | spiritual life of their followers. In their |
| | | | |
| sacred duty according to Gandhi. To | | | | true aspects all religions call for peace |
| understand the point of view of another faith | | | | and brotherhood amongst man. The great |
| | | | |
| | | | religions of the world should strive, |
| requires tolerance, sympathy, broad | | | | according to Gandhi, in promoting a life of |
| mindedness, humility and willingness to | | | | self |
| | | | |
| recognize Truth wherever it is to be found. | | | | control, sacrifice, harmony, peace and |
| If we posses these qualities we can | | | | understanding amongst its followers so as to |
| | | | |
| appreciate other's faith, traditions, | | | | create a heaven on earth. We may conclude |
| customs, culture and way of life. The | | | | here, in the words of Swami |
| prophets | | | | |
| | | | Vivekananda, one of the greatest champion of |
| and seers of different religions have | | | | peace and understanding of religions, |
| brought to mankind the consciousness of the | | | | |
| | | | which Gandhi also supported : "If any one |
| unity underlying the whole universe and a | | | | hopes that this unity will come by the |
| deep sense of brotherhood of man. | | | | |
| | | | triumph of any one religion and the |
| Gandhi therefore felt a need of the | | | | destruction of the others, to him I say, |
| comparative study of religions to pave the | | | | 'Brother, |
| way | | | | |
| | | | yours is an impossible hope.' Do I wish that |
| for unity and brotherhood amongst the | | | | a Christian would become a Hindu ? God |
| followers of different religions.Mahatma | | | | |
| Gandhi was a Sanatani Hindu. His love for | | | | forbid. Do I wish that a Hindu or Buddhist |
| Hinduism was not blind love. | | | | would become a Christian ? God forbid ... |
| | | | |
| Gandhi spoke about the lofty ideals preached | | | | The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a |
| by Hinduism. Hinduism, according to | | | | Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to |
| | | | |
| him is the most tolerant and liberal | | | | become a Christian. But each must assimilate |
| religion. He was deeply impressed by the | | | | the spirit of the others and yet |
| ethical | | | | |
| | | | preserve his individuality and grow |
| and spiritual outlook of Hinduism. Gandhi | | | | according to his own law of growth."(13)The |
| said, "The chief value of Hinduism lies in | | | | world does not need a new religion. What it |
| | | | does need are the people who, |
| holding the actual belief that all life is | | | | |
| one i.e. all life coming from one universal | | | | discovering the eternal and universal truths |
| | | | in their own religion are bold enough to |
| source, call it Allah, God or Parameshwara." | | | | |
| (4) Gandhi was also very much | | | | live in accordance with those truths. When |
| | | | it is done, the dry outer forms of |
| impressed by the teachings of the Gita | | | | |
| saying, "when one sees Me everywhere and | | | | religions, which divide the entire human |
| | | | race into several groups, will crumble |
| everything in Me, I am never lost to him and | | | | |
| he is never lost to Me." (5) But Gandhi | | | | before the radiance and power of the mighty |
| | | | human spirit. The power of the human |
| at the same time was very radical in his | | | | |
| approach and he did not hesitate in | | | | soul, knows no bounds, no limits and if |
| | | | religion is its vehicle then that vehicle |
| criticizing those aspects of Hinduism which | | | | will |
| did not appeal to his reason. For | | | | |
| | | | surely participate in transforming the human |
| example he was very much against the caste | | | | society on its journey towards the |
| system that was prevalent in Hinduism. | | | | |
| | | | Divine Being.Gandhi has been killed. |
| To quote Gandhi, "My religion is Hinduism | | | | Physically he is no more with us. But his |
| ... I can no more describe my feelings for | | | | spirit lives amidst |
| | | | |
| Hinduism than for my wife ... Even so I feel | | | | us and within us, with all its glory than |
| about Hinduism with all its fault and | | | | ever before. |
| | | | |