Gandhiji
is a true believer in Hinduism. He has not only believed in its philosophical
foundations, but practiced Hindu religious teachings in his daily life.
Gandhiji found active non-violence in all religions. Faith can only encourage a
person to promote peace and non-violent social change. For Gandhiji, the basic
principles of religions were not just pious ideals, but actual laws of action
in the world.
Gandhiji
challenged fanatics of all religions to seek God through their own active
pursuit of truth and non-violence. He pointed out that selfish religious
scholars had distorted the religious teachings and misled the people. There is
no room in religion for anything other than compassion. A man of religion will
not wish ill even to his enemy. Therefore, if people want to follow the path of
religion, they must do nothing but good..."
Gandhiji’s
action in South Africa and later in India was shaped by his conviction that all
religious boundaries are arbitrary and false. That is why Gandhiji’s view of
religion brought into its fold people belonging to different religions.
Though
deeply religious by nature, Gandhiji did not believe in rituals, customs,
traditions, dogmas, and other formalities observed for the sake of religion.
Gandhiji’s religion was not confined to temples, churches, books, and other
such outer forms. Gandhiji defied all forms of religious dogma. Dogmas breed an
attitude of dislike towards other religions.
Mahatma
Gandhi’s mission was to find a common ground based on non-violence among
religions. Gandhiji argued that a person who believes in Truth and God cannot
go to a place of worship one day, and the next day foster hatred and violence.
Gandhiji said "Every true scripture only gains by criticism. After all, we
have no other guide but our reason to tell us what may be regarded as revealed
and what may not be."
Gandhiji rejected
equating religion with nationalism. He believed in pluralistic India that
includes one citizenship, multiple faiths. He never accepted the argument that
Hindus and Muslims constituted two separate elements in Indian society.
Believing in religious tolerance and harmony, Gandhiji said, “I do regard Islam
to be a religion of peace in the same sense as Christianity, Buddhism and
Hinduism are."
.
Gandhiji
was also impressed by the personal and social codes of behaviour like prayer,
fasting, and alms-giving that Islam prescribed. This is despite his
unquestionable adherence to Hindu faith.
“My
reading of the Koran has convinced me that the basis of Islam is not violence
but is unadulterated peace," affirmed Mahatma Gandhi. “It regards
forbearance as superior to vengeance. The very word ‘Islam’ means peace, which
is non-violence. My experience of all of India tells me that the Hindus and the
Muslims know how to live in peace among themselves. I decline to believe that
the people have said goodbye to their senses, so as to make it impossible to
live in peace with each other, as they have done for generations. The enmity
cannot last forever."
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