MAHATMA GANDHI
1ST SLIDE
Early Years
- Born in 1869 in Porbandar, India, to a family with a strong tradition of
public service.
- Raised in a devout Hindu household, but also encouraged to pursue
modern education.
- Early experiences with friends who introduced him to vices like smoking
and meat-eating sparked his moral conscience.
Turning Point
- In 1888, Gandhi traveled to England to study law, leaving behind a life of
comfort and privilege.
- Before leaving, he made a solemn vow to his mother to abstain from meat
and bad company, demonstrating his growing sense of commitment and
self-discipline.
Dawn of New Era
- This vow became a symbol of Gandhi's unwavering dedication to his
principles.
- It marked the beginning of his journey towards a life of nonviolence and
social justice.
2nd SLIDE
England and South Africa
- After completing his legal studies in England, Gandhi returned to India
briefly before traveling to South Africa in 1891.
- Witnessing racial discrimination firsthand in South Africa profoundly
impacted him.
- He began experimenting with nonviolent resistance, challenging unjust
laws and promoting love over hate.
The Birth of Satyagraha
- Gandhi's experiences in South Africa led him to develop the philosophy of
Satyagraha - the power of truth and nonviolent resistance.
- He returned to India determined to use Satyagraha to fight for India's
independence from British rule.
3rd SLIDE
A Vision for Social Change
- Gandhi also recognized the need for social reform within India, focusing
on issues like untouchability and social inequality.
- He believed that his methods of nonviolent resistance could be applied to
solve both personal and political problems.
A Legacy of Peace
- Gandhi's life from 1920 to 1948, when he was assassinated, became a
testament to the power of nonviolence and a source of inspiration for
generations to come.
4th SLIDE
INFLUENCE THAT SHAPED HIS THOUGHT
Early Influences
- Gandhi's thought, while original, was heavily influenced by ancient Hindu
traditions.
- Raised in a devout Hindu family, he was immersed in religious practices
and scriptures from a young age.
- Studied the Gita, Ramayana, Vaishnava and Jaina literature.
- These texts deepened his moral understanding and nurtured his religious
insight.
Shaping Gandhi's Philosophy
- Ancient Hindu teachings provided the foundation for Gandhi's later
philosophy of nonviolence and truth (Satyagraha).
- His early exposure to these texts played a crucial role in shaping his
personal values and beliefs.
5th SLIDE
Beyond Hindu Tradition
- Gandhi's intellectual journey extended beyond his Hindu roots,
embracing influences from various cultures and thinkers.
- He was deeply moved by Christianity, particularly the life and teachings of
Jesus Christ.
- Tolstoy's "The Kingdom of God is Within You" resonated with Gandhi,
particularly his emphasis on the power of suffering.
- Thoreau's concept of civil disobedience provided Gandhi with a model for
using nonviolence to address social and political issues.
A Diverse Spectrum
- Gandhi also drew inspiration from Zoroastrianism, Islam, the works of
Ruskin, and theosophical thought.
- This diverse range of influences contributed to the development of his
unique philosophy of Satyagraha.
(GOD AND TRUTH) please insert this in separate slide before the 6th slide,
thank you!
6th SLIDE
GANDHI’S THEISM
A Unique Perspective
- Gandhi's understanding of God defied easy categorization within
traditional philosophical models.
- He lacked formal philosophical training and saw little relevance in
distinctions like Pantheism vs. Theism.
Vaisnava Influence
- Gandhi's theistic beliefs were primarily shaped by his early exposure to
Vaishnavism.
- His upbringing in a devout Vaishnava family instilled in him a
fundamental belief in a personal, theistic God.
- Gandhi's theism was deeply personal and rooted in his upbringing,
transcending rigid philosophical frameworks.
7th SLIDE
- Sankara, the influential Advaita Vedantist, emphasized the reality of
Nirguna Brahman (the formless, attributeless Absolute).
Concept of Illusion
- Advaita Vedanta posits that the world we perceive is an illusion (maya)
created by our ignorance of the true nature of reality.
- This illusion arises from our mistaken identification with the individual
self (atman) instead of the ultimate reality (Brahman).
No Need for a Creator
- Since reality is ultimately one, Advaita Vedanta does not require a
separate Creator or God.
- The concept of creation and a creator becomes irrelevant in the face of the
non-dualistic reality of Brahman.
8th SLIDE
Different Views on Reality
- Advaita Vedanta: Reality is a formless, attributeless Brahman (Nirguna
Brahman). Salvation is achieved through knowledge of this ultimate
reality.
- Vaishnavism: The world is real, and God is the creator and preserver of
the world. God is a personal being.
Contrasting Approaches to Liberation
- Advaita Vedanta: Liberation is attained through knowledge (Jnana) and
the realization of the oneness of the individual self with Brahman.
- Vaishnavism: Liberation is achieved through devotion (Bhakti) to a
personal God.
- These two schools of thought offer contrasting perspectives on the nature
of reality and the path to liberation, highlighting the diversity within Hindu
philosophy.
9th SLIDE
Vaishnava Perspective
- Vaishnavism emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with
God, achieved through devotion (Bhakti).
- They believe that a cold, intellectual approach to God fails to establish a
true connection.
Gandhi's Theistic Beliefs
- Gandhi's theism aligns with the Vaishnava tradition, advocating for a
personal God who provides strength, solace, and peace.
- He rejects the academic distinction between "saguna" (with attributes)
and "nirguna" (without attributes) as irrelevant to true faith.
10th SLIDE
God as a Source of Strength and Peace
- Gandhi believed that God should not merely satisfy intellectual curiosity
but also transform the heart.
- This transformation requires a personal relationship with God, rooted in
devotion and emotional surrender.
- Gandhi's theism emphasizes the importance of a personal, loving
relationship with God, a belief rooted in his Vaishnava upbringing and his
experiences with the Bhakti tradition.
11th SLIDE
Gandhi believed that "Truth is God", a concept he developed through his
deep understanding of Hinduism and his personal search for truth. He
argued that the order, harmony, and law governing the universe point to an
intelligent Law-giver, a living God who is the ultimate arbiter of our fate.
This belief, according to Gandhi, requires a living faith and a recognition
that all life in its essence is one.
12th SLIDE
Truth is God: Gandhi believed that truth is not merely a concept but the
embodiment of God.
Order and Harmony: He saw the order and harmony of the universe as
evidence of an intelligent Law-giver.
Unity of Life: Gandhi emphasized the interconnectedness of all life and the
need for a living faith in a living God.
Ultimate Arbiter: He believed God is the ultimate judge of our actions and
destinies.
Gandhi's concept of "Truth is God" offers a unique perspective on the
nature of God and the human search for meaning. His philosophy
emphasizes the importance of truth, unity, and faith in our understanding
of the universe and our place within it.
13th SLIDE
Moral Proof
- Gandhi finds the moral proof of God's existence most convincing, valuing
the voice of conscience as a testimony to God's presence.
- He believes that conscience represents the Divine within man, guiding
towards the good and condemning the bad. Conscience as Divine Guidance:
- Conscience is seen as an inner voice that sanctions good deeds and
condemns wrong actions, creating feelings of elevation or remorse.
- Its authoritative voice is perceived as an obligation to follow the path of
goodness.
14th SLIDE
Explanation of Conscience
- Gandhi believes that the call of conscience is a representation of a Being
embodying Supreme Goodness.
- He emphasizes the importance of listening to the 'still small voice' within,
which he sees as God revealing Himself to every individual daily.
- Gandhi's reliance on the moral proof of God's existence through the voice
of conscience reflects his deep belief in the presence of a Divine guiding
force within each individual.
15th SLIDE
Pragmatic Proof
- Gandhi believed that a belief in God is necessary because it fulfills a deep
spiritual need within us.
- This need transcends materialistic desires and seeks a higher form of
satisfaction.
God as a Supreme Object of Love
- In moments of anxiety and crisis, we realize the need for a supreme
object of love, a source of strength, solace, peace, and happiness.
- This supreme object of love is God.
16th SLIDE
Faith as a Test
Gandhi believed that faith in God's existence can be tested through
personal experience.
He advocated for a "living faith" in the moral government of the world
and the supremacy of truth and love.
Beyond Proofs
Gandhi acknowledged that proofs cannot create faith, which is a
matter of inner realization and experience.
He believed that God transcends both senses and rational proofs.
Gandhi's pragmatic proof for God's existence emphasizes the spiritual
fulfillment that comes from a belief in a higher power, a belief that can
be tested through personal experience and faith.
