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It can be easily said that Jain contacts and Gandhi's stay in South Africa (where he developed and practiced the concepts and philosophy of practical ahimsa) made a simple Mohan (Gandhi) a Mahatma Gandhi. The life story of Mahatma Gandhi is full of hundreds of daily, real life examples in the practice of ahimsa. Gandhi practiced ahimsa not only regarding food (the items that he would eat or not eat) but also towards all, one-to five-sensed humans and non-human species. He was not just satisfied being a vegetarian, he extended that boundary of radical peace to all living creatures and devoted a significant part of his life towards applying ahimsa. He writes, “I have absolutely forgotten to hate anyone based on any differentiation, of caste, color, gender, religion, age, position, wealth or station in life.” With such an attitude, how can such a person say that avoiding himsa is not possible? Yes, Jainism made a non-Jain into a Gandhi, but hardly any Jain has ever become a Gandhi. During the last 500-1000 year history of India, I do not recall any Jain becoming a Gandhi of that stature. Mahatma Gandhi has been gone for more than sixty-six years; even during this period, I have not seen or known any Gandhi-like Jain in the Jain community. It is a pity and a matter of introspection. In recent times, Mahatma Gandhi has become the greatest symbol of non-violence. He is a role model of ahimsa to millions of people and has inspired world leaders and Nobel Laureates who, with their vision, unwavering faith in ahimsa, and sacrifices brought about great societal changes. Gandhi's ahimsa message and practice continue to reverberate. A few notable examples include the abolition of apartheid in South Africa and the Civil Rights movements in the US. Thousands of stories from the life of Mahatma Gandhi inspire today and will keep on influencing people for a long time. Let me quote below just a few of his remarks and sayings, including: An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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