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 8

Rajchandra. After reading these books, it was clear to him that what Hindu religion has, no other religion can offer. His reverence for it increased, and he began to understand the salient features of Hinduism. He notes: "It was Raichandbhai who helped me to remove my doubts about Hindu religion." According to staunch Gandhian Sant Muni Shri Santbalji, Gandhiji's belief in Hindu religion got strengthened by Rajchandra's counselling. In order to understand Gandhiji, one must keep in mind the thoughts of Rajchandra. (Parichay-Prabhav, page 28). It is believed that Shrimad wrote about 200 letters to Gandhi and he referred to this fact in one of his lectures. If these letters were to be retrieved, they would help in solving many a basic spiritual and practical problem.
An important question often asked is : What would have happened if Gandhiji's doubts had not been resolved and if he had converted to Christianity ? Who would have then thought of Satyagraha (passiveresistance) and swarajya (self-rule) ? Gandhiji would have perhaps become a Michael or a Mohammad but that he remained Mohandas K. Gandhi is soleley due to the impact of his spiritual guru Shrimad Rajchandra. Gandhiji writes: "I have
not come across a self realized soul Influence of Jainism on
comparable to him and he was the greatest 12 Mahatma Gandhi Indian of his time." At another place, he
says: "Shrimad Rajchandra's life itself is the greatest service rendered. I have been under several obligations of his."
Gandhiji had read many of his books and in a talk delivered after his death, he said, "I have read his books and have felt peace of mind after reading them. I believe that one who wants to alleviate mental agony and one who wants to know one's duty will find everything in his writings, be he a Hindu or a non-Hindu."
Shrimad Rajchandra and Gandhji often discussed religion and once, after a prolonged debate, both agreed that it was difficult to do without leather and that leather be used only if it was inevitable. After their debate, Gandhiji wrote: "I was rigid from the very beginning. I asked him whether there was any leather in the cap he was wearing. Shrimad, being lost in his own thoughts, was oblivious of the fact that there was leather in the cap. When I showed it to him, he immediately removed the leather, without arguing with me. He liked what I had said and acted accordingly. He thought it was not worthwhile to argue with one who held him in great reverence. He never touched leather in life after that incident." It was he, said Gandhiji, who taught him lessons of compassion and the nature of true dharma and he drank deep from that well of religious knowledge.
Influence of
Jainism on Mahatma Gandhi 13