Gandhi And Jainism

Author(s): Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

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Chapter III: Selection of the Route: Satyagraha. Gandhi arrived in Natal Durban in May 1893. His journey by boat was a demanding experience to continue adhering to his dietetic habits and vow of celibacy. However his earlier travel to England had equipped him with tools to manage the journey better. His first week in Durban gave him the experience of extreme discrimination against Indians, who were brought there as indentured labourers supported by own experiences in train journey from Dublin to Pretoria. He decided to stay in South Africa and experiment his philosophy of truth, Ahimsa and dietetics to minimize the suffering of Indians as well as gain legal experience and earn money. He successfully completed the first legal case and kept the principle of Ahimsa and Anekant (Jain doctrine of multiplicity of viewpoints) in mind by bringing both warring Indian businessmen to arbitration and having an amicable resolution. While planning a return to India, he read about the new bill to restrict movement and trade of Indians. He was always vocal to print his ideas in press as well as writing to authorities for social injustice but restrained them for personal grievances. He decided to stay back in South Africa after the Indians, impressed by his success and commitment to uplift their cause, gave him a year's retainer also. He decided and told that he will offer his services for social cause free. He mobilised public support to organise them as an ongoing association, educate them about their rights and duties and resolved some of the problems like Balasundrama, abolition of 3 Pound tax being levied on ex indentured Indians, set up Natal Indian Education Association to teach children of Indians born in South Africa, love for their mother land by acquainting them with its culture.
He was in touch with religious leaders to gain insight to different religions as the Christians there tried their best to have him convert to Christianity. He was also in regular touch with Rajchandra on such matters as well. It was Rajchandra who
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