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Vol. XX, No. 4
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passion, truth, charity, humility and other gentle virtues. So the tradition of ahimsā persisted down the centuries. No distinctive contribution was, however, made to the evolution of ideal after Asoka. Moreover, in the hands of the teachers of the cult of devo. tiori who drew a distinction between the life of the world and selfrealization, non-violence came to be looked upon as in applicable to secular matters
All through this long period the people of India, have been familiar with certain non violent methods of resisting evil. Dharna (sitting down at the door of the oppressor with the resolve to die unless the wrong is redressed), Prāyopaveshana (fasting unto death), ajnabhanga (civil disobedience), deshatyaga (giving up the country) are instances. Before Gandhiji's entry into Indian Politics ihese nonviolent methods had been occasionally resorted to, by Individuals and in rare instances, even by small groups. But, these methods of resis. tance were usally forms of passive resistance as distinguished from Satyagraha. Bishop Heber, describes non-cooperation by three lakbs of the people of Banaras against the British Government long before Gandhiji's time. Similarly, in 1810, the entire population of Mysore practised non-co-operation against the tyranny of the ruler. Gandhiji tells us in his autobiography; how his father, the Dewan of Rajkot, practised passive resistance successfully."
Islam :-Gandhiji regards Islam, as a religion of peace, like christianity. Buddhism and Hinduism. The followers of Islam. have been occasionally free with the sword; but that is not the teaching of the sacred Ouran; but to the environment; in which Islam had emerged. According to Gandhiji, the Chief contribution of Islam, has been the brotherhood of man. But the prophet's was essentially a message of kindness and consideration, peace and love; lɔve not only for human beings, but also for all kinds of creatures. The holy Quran prefers non-violence to violence. The very word 'Islam' means Peace' 'safety' and 'Salvation'. The common muslim salutation (Assalamalaikum) means peace be on you'.
Christianity :- Christianity' is jewish in origin and Lord Jesus said that his doctrine was nothing but the teaching of the old-testment prophets, i e. the law of love. Jesus, however, makes the law revolutionary and transforming by raising it from the level of reciproceity that of non-retaliation and creative purpose. The oft-repeated words of the Jesus "ye have heard how it hath been said by them of old - but I say unto you”, bring out the transforming effect of his teaching.
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