Gandhi on Non-ViolenceAn essential compendium for understanding Gandhi's profound legacy. "One has to speak out and stand up for one's convictions. Inaction at a time of conflagration is inexcusable."—Mahatma GandhiThe basic principles of Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and non-violent action (Satyagraha) were chosen by Thomas Merton for this volume in 1965. In his challenging Introduction, "Gandhi and the One-Eyed Giant," Merton emphasizes the importance of action rather than mere pacifism as a central component of non-violence, and illustrates how the foundations of Gandhi's universal truths are linked to traditional Hindu Dharma, the Greek philosophers, and the teachings of Christ and Thomas Aquinas. Educated as a Westerner in South Africa, it was Gandhi's desire to set aside the caste system as well as his political struggles in India which led him to discover the dynamic power of non-cooperation. But, non-violence for Gandhi "was not simply a political tactic," as Merton observes: "the spirit of non-violence sprang from an inner realization of spiritual unity in himself." Gandhi's politics of spiritual integrity have influenced generations of people around the world, as well as civil rights leaders from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Steve Biko to Václav Havel and Aung San Suu Kyi. Mark Kurlansky has written an insightful preface for this edition that touches upon the history of non-violence and reflects the core of Gandhi's spiritual and ethical doctrine in the context of current global conflicts. |
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Gandhi on Non-Violence: Selected Texts from Mohandas K. Gandhi's Non ... Mahatma Gandhi Limited preview - 1965 |
Common terms and phrases
Abbey of Gethsemani ahimsa army Atman atom bomb awakening become believe brave British Christian civilization Coomaraswamy courage creed death defend democracy duty earth eliminated enemy evil failed failure fast fear forgiveness freedom Freud Gandhi Hannah Arendt Harijan hatred heart Hermas Hindu dharma Hinduism human implies impotent India inner unity irreversible Jesus Kathleen Norris killing KURLANSKY law of love lence liberation liberty Mahatma mankind MARK KURLANSKY mercy Mohandas moral nations nature never Non-cooperation non-violent person non-violent resistance one's oneself oppressed oppressor overcome passive peace perfect political leader practice principle pure refusal religious retaliation right mind sacrifice satyagraha Seeds of Contemplation self-purification Shepherd of Hermas social society soul South Africa spiritual strength struggle suffer Summa Theologica superego thing THOMAS MERTON thought tion true truth tyranny untruth violence voice votary wanted weak weapon West Western whole world Whyte wisdom wrong wrote