Influence Of Jainism On Mahatma Gandhi

SR No.: 034277
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaibhikkhu Sahitya Trust
Total Pages: 18
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 2 MB

Page 12

Shrimad Rajchandra was recited. Manilal played on the organ and sang in a very serious tone and Gandhi went on discoursing. These discourses embodied the message of Rajchandra. He said: "I am fasting not to punish anyone but to overcome my weeknesses. Our rishis practised severe penance and as a result a tiger and a cow would play together in front of them. Unless We develop such a state of spirituality, salvation will not come our way."
One of the important tenets of Jainism is non-possessiveness - aparigraha. Mahavir used to say that one should not keep even a toothpick if not required. Gandhiji was profoundly infulenced by this principle and from it the idea of trusteeship was born. Whatever is in excess, is for others. You have to look after not only your own needs but also needs of other people too. Learn to distribute, to share", he said. The same is true of vegetarianism which is central to Jain religion. Virchand Raghavjee Gandhi was the first to talk about Jainism in the western world. Twenty-nine years old Veerchand Raghavji gave a talk on September 11, 1893, on Jainism in the Columbus Hall of Arts Institute in Chicago. A barrister by profession, he was the first Shravak - a householder - to visit the USA and was wellversed in Jain, Buddhist and Hindu
scriptures. Gandhiji was in close contact with Influence of Jainism on
him. Veerchand Gandhi set up Jain Literary 20 Mahatma Gandhi Society in England and went on propagating
vegetarianism when he came into contact with Mahatma Gandhi. Both together experimented with healthy diet."
Jain religion emphasises, emancipation of women. It was the first religion which got rid of the shackles of slavery and put women on a high pedestal as it did with Chandanbala. Similarly, Gandhiji too fought for women's emancipation, stressing empowerment of women.
Gandhiji followed practices as laid down in Jain religion. He forsook evening meals during the last 36 years of his life. He drank boiled water and ate only five items in a meal which included salt. This is in accordance with the Jain concept of Vriti Sankshep which specifies that fixed number of items be consumed in a meal.
Jain religion is not merely a religion but a way of life. Central to it are knowledge and character which should manifest in one's conduct. Non-violence, truth, nonpossessiveness, forgiveness, anekant, celibacy, fearlessness and vegetarianism are the core values of Jain religion and they are reflected in Gandhiji's life, in what he said and did. The conclusion therefore is inescapable that jain religion has a lion's share in shaping the personality of the Yugpurush - the person of the millennium - Mahatma Gandhi.
Influence of
Jainism on Mahatma Gandhi 21