Gandhi Before Gandhi

Author(s): Bipin Doshi, Priti Shah
Publisher: Jain Academy Educational Research Center Promotion Trust Mumbai

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GANDHI BEFORE GANDHIA
men only; but towards all living beings, are also parts of our moral codes, which no Hindu can forget or deny without bringing down upon him corresponding evils and retribution. These are the straight lines in which we are instructed and required to walk. If men grow lame and weak and sometimes fall by the way in India, as in America, we know the source of that weakness and that failure, and should bequeath our commiseration and helpful brotherly pity. But this must be said in justice to my people that the statistics of crime in India, as ascertained by Government's scrutiny, are but one-fourth in extent of those of England itself.
In concluding this part of my subject, I will refer you to the fact with which you are familiar, that what is said sometimes of the moral status of the Hindus, which is the outward expression of the moral law, which they adopt, is also said of you, who are spiritualists, by some of your illinformed Christian brothers. The same argument that you present in meeting the objection I also can and do adopt as my answer. If I should seek to formulate answer it could not be more pertinent or more just. I find that answer in a book which I have considered for the first time on these grounds, and the author of which is, well known to you, for he is on this platform, he is not only my brother, but my friend, whom I have learned not only to admire but to love. The book is entitled "Angel's Visits to my Farm in Florida." The author's name is "Golden Light," but the pronunciation would be different. In that book I find this paragraph which I will now read, and in the translation of it to my own people. I should substitute for Spiritualism, Hinduism. The author says to the objector to Spiritualism as I would say to the objector to Hinduism.
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"I suggested, that perhaps, public opinion in many things were based on misconception and ignorance of the real truth, principles and facts underlying and constituting the philosophy of spiritualism. It is of the very first importance, in the first estimate of this philosophy, and its adherents and advocates, to know whether or not its principles and for teachings are in themselves moral, judged by the highest standards. Is the morality of this philosophy different from, that which all pure minds accept, whether it be called Christian or Jewish, Mohammedan or Hindu, Greek or Roman?
Practice of Morality.
Morality is not to be practiced only because by the practice of that morality we are to rise higher, but because it is the life of the soul, the very essence of the soul. No other life can come in conflict with it. Truthfulness, kindness, justice and universal love are only the features of the soul's life. A man may plant trees in an orchard, and at the same time other things like grass etc, but his real