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various meanings inasmuch as it has at least one meaning which is generally accepted by all i.e. religion is something spiritual. It is to accept a spiritual way of life. Gandhi's religion follows from his philosophy, God is Truth or Truth is God. For him God is a living reality. His whole way of life is nothing but a sincere, whole-hearted, devoted practice of religion. Gandhi says, “the essence of religion is morality. ‘True religion and true morality are inseparately bound up with each other'. So the question of Gandhi's contribution to religion will bring along with it the question of his attitude towards religions, religious scriptures and prayer.
Let us begin with the last, like morality “Prayer is the very soul and essence of religion”, Heiler writes, “Prayer is the center of religion, without prayer faith remains a theoretical conviction, worship is only an external and formal art; moral action is without spiritual depth; man remains at a distance from God, an abyss yawns between the finite and infinite." Gandhi's view is in consonance with Heiler's view. According to him the language of the heart is to be spoken in prayer. “The prayers of those whose tongues are nectared but whose hearts are full of poison are never heard.” Thus Gandhian prayer is integrating in the sense that it operates in the direction of firmer moral life. But the question is how to speak the language of the heart? It is only the true Bhakta who can do so and such Bhakta is rarely found. So Gandhi has remarkably suggested that one should adopt the religion of service as the means in the direction. “God himself seeks for his seat the heart of him who serves his fellow man. A prayerful heart is the vehicle and service makes the heart prayerful”. He further says, “Those Hindus who in this age serve the untouchables from a full heart truly pray.” This means that Gandhian prayer is socially effective. This
Spiritual Awakening (Samyagdarśana) and Other Essays
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