GANDHI'S WISDOM WORTHY OF ATTENTION

Whenever anyone decides that they would like to see a reduction in the many injustices in this world, they turn to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. This patriarch of 'non-violent protest' has been an inspiration to many people and social causes. As an example, Dr. Martin Luther King drew on his methods to bring about changes to the American society, within our own history. What I find particularly interesting is that Gandhi appears to have drawn from the teachings of Buddha, Mohammed, and Christ for the exact same purposes.

Gandhi was married at thirteen years of age. Shy, timid, awkward and a very poor student, he was sent to England to get an education and to become a lawyer. During his stay in England he was determined to become like the English but this turned out to be most difficult. His dark skin was not accepted by the English in England any better than by the English in India.

He studied the Bible, the Koran and the Bhagavad Gita in his quest for knowledge. He did not limit himself solely to the faith and scriptures of his forefathers; through self learning he gained enormous insights and wisdom; he often quoted from 'the Sermon on the Mount.'

His dedication appears to have started at about the same time as the worldwide influenza epidemic around the year 1918 - the time in which twenty-two million died. He risked his life by unselfishly walking in from the street to help the devoted nurses who were also risking their lives for the plight of the sick and dying.

He eventually gave up his need for high wages, wealth and possessions. He made a conscious decision to live simply. He ate simple meals, refusing to pollute his body with food that he deemed unsuitable.

Gandhi personally turned non-violence into a crusade. Violence and death had been the only method of settling disputes. Non-violence was taught even in our own scriptures but it had never really been tried on a national scale. He was told that he was an idiot; he could never hope to win, and yet he did. Firstly he triumphed in South Africa by having unjust civil rights laws repealed and then he journeyed to India to free his brothers and sisters from the pressure of the English thumb.

He encouraged the common people to give their money, jewelry and possessions to charity to support the less fortunate.

He refused to enter temples where the 'untouchables' were not welcomed.

He lived the life of which he taught --by example.

His main objective was to free the people of India from a foreign government that exploited the poorest of people. He stated that it was not the fact that the government was English, but that it was corrupt. "I believe that I have rendered a s ervice to both England and India by showing (in non-cooperation) the way out of an unnatural state in which we are both living."

He had a strong-willed woman as a wife. She resisted the traditional male role of dominance that Gandhi initially tried to force upon her. Together they realized that this tradition of male dominance in their society was unjust and discarded it from their life style.

Like Christ 1900 years previously, he would find thousands of people following him, all wanting to hear his teachings. They would follow him as he walked from village to village spreading the truths of his teachings; they went to jail following his example; they died at the hands of the English for following his teaching of nonviolent disobedience; they gave their wealth, their hearts, their freedom - all because they recognized the truth of his words.

Gandhi was successful in his desire to have India returned to Indians. He died for his efforts in trying to bring about Hindu-Muslim unity when a zealot silenced his heart with a single bullet.

I have no doubt in my mind that if Gandhi had been born into an earlier history he would have been immortalized with his own religious following. His biography and his wisdom are worthy of everyone's attention.

Just as in India, where the people were exploited, we have a similar situation wherein the planet is being exploited. There is no concern for the sustainability of this planet or the conservation of its resources. All resources are made available for exploitation by our governments. Air, water, soil, food - even the genetic material of life itself. Are all being exploited and corrupted in this generation.

Our ancestors separated the 'Affairs of State' from 'Church Dominance' and now we must separate the Affairs of State from Big-business Lobbyists and Influence. A big challenge. A challenge that must be met to bring common aspirations to government. (This wisdom recently came to me from a 72 year old Preston gentleman by the name of Joe Duobaitis. Thanks' Joe - I hope you gave up smoking.)

Have a nice day.