Gandhi on Non-Violence Asian Religions Berger

Gandhi’s Life and Accomplishments  Born in Porbandar, Gujarat: 1869  Received Law Degree in London in 1891  Developed satyagraha in S. Africa,  Leadership of Independence Movement  Dandi Salt March-Untouchable Laws  Quit India Campaign:  Attempts to prevent partition:  Assassination in Jan. 1948

Gandhi on Truth, Conscience and Discipline  Conditions for arriving at a true belief (pp  Truth = that which exists (= God)  Truth as voice of inner conscience  Truth-seeking and vows of self-discipline  Truth as approached only through humility

The Virtues of Non-Violence I  Strategic Considerations of Non-Violence (160-61)  Violence flourishes upon resignation or revenge  Self-sacrifice instead of sacrifice of others is fail-safe regarding the morality of the cause  Non-violence as love for enemy  Non-violence withdraws intended victim from perpetrator

The Virtues of Non-Violence II  Non-violence as active, not passive (pp )  Secular and religious change through action  Non-violence above violence and cowardliness in terms of its courage and desire to produce positive change  The power of non-violence to convert through example  Strength is not sheer physical power but power of will