Letters from Prison (Gandhi)
His real name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
He is, needless to say, known as Mahatma Gandhi (Mahatma = "Great Soul"), the father of Indian independence.
In 1930, Gandhi was imprisoned at Yerwada Central Jail.
This book is a collection of letters written during that period to the disciples who were practicing his teachings at the ashram he founded.
To tell the truth, I had never read a comprehensive work on Gandhi before, so this is my first direct encounter with his philosophy.
So, to begin with, I will quote from the commentary at the end of the book by the translator, Tatsuo Morimoto, regarding Gandhi's famous philosophy of "non-violence".
(Quoted from p. 137) The non-violence advocated by Gandhi is not merely a passive or negative method of simply not raising a hand against an opponent (enemy) or applying physical pressure. It is an act of active love that, through love and self-sacrifice, makes the opponent realize their own wrongdoing; in other words, it is an act of active love that awakens human conscience through self-sacrifice and forces them to lower their raised hand.
This teaching of "non-violence" appears throughout this book.
For example, here are Gandhi's words from the letter on "Tolerance is Religious Equality".
(Quoted from p. 76) If the other party does not observe the law of love, they may adopt a violent attitude. Even so, if we continue to hold true love in our hearts, we will eventually overcome the opponent's hostility. If we follow the golden rule of not becoming irritated with those we believe are wrong, and being prepared to take on suffering ourselves if necessary, all barriers standing in our way will naturally disappear.
According to Gandhi's teachings, this "non-violence" is one manifestation of "Ahimsa (=ahimsa (love))".
(Quoted from p. 21) Not harming any living thing is certainly a part of Ahimsa, but it is the minimum expression of Ahimsa.
And this "Ahimsa" is not the final goal either.
(Quoted from p. 22) Ahimsa and Truth are so closely intertwined that in reality, they cannot be untangled and distinguished. ... Nevertheless, Ahimsa is ultimately a means, and Truth is the goal.
Gandhi teaches that once one fully realizes Truth, there is nothing left to learn, and one becomes free, released from all attachments.
In other words, one escapes the cycle of reincarnation and reaches "liberation" (moksha).
Gandhi's philosophy affirms the existence of multiple religions. He believes that while there is only one true religion, it manifests in various forms through the medium of humanity.
There is a philosophy of "tolerance" here. However, Gandhi did not like the word "tolerance."
(Quoted from p. 68) The word tolerance contains an unwarranted arrogance that others' religions are inferior to one's own [also, in the word respect, one can read a certain condescension]. In contrast, Ahimsa teaches that we should pay the same respect to others' religious sentiments as we do to our own faith, and by extension, it leads to acknowledging the incompleteness of our own religion.
I think this is a broad-minded stance that respects and aims for the "Absolute" while "relativizing" oneself.
Now, this book was very stimulating and interesting, and I would like to introduce one passage from it that really made me think.
It is where Gandhi talks about "humility."
(Quoted from p. 80) Humility itself cannot be a commandment. This is because it is not something that is practiced consciously. Yet, humility is an essential condition for Ahimsa. ... However, no one has ever acquired it through training. ... Because teaching humility ends up teaching hypocrisy.
The last phrase is a powerful truth. I myself must straighten my posture once again.