In Honor of Gandhi's Birthday today I am including one more post today. October 2nd is Gandhi's Birthday and International Non-Violence Day, thanks to the courageous Gandiji.
First off i want to say that I deeply respect and love this man. His ability to lead with non-violence set an unprecedented benchmark that future generations should deeply study and emulate. I think people have easily forgotten the message that non-violence is the best way to secure a definite peace for ourselves and possibly an even larger world peace.
He believed facing violence with non-violence is not cowardice but the highest act of bravery. One is not running to hide, but you are quite literally "turning the other cheek". The violence taken upon oneself from the offender is made visible and shown to be grotesque and shameful.
One's will and authority is never lost until one acts under provocation and loses his moral ground by striking back. When your child strikes her brother, you don't teach him to hit his sister until it is solved. We don't allow violence in the workplace, or in our streets, so why is it a national policy to ensure peace?
The parables and precepts that religion offers becomes meaningless paper when everyone takes them as metaphor and idealistic guides. "The Golden Rule" underlies most religions and moralistic codes, but what does that mean if we ignore it when we are angered?
When someone comes forth and embodies our morals as if it were just the most basic thing we have to do to survive, we get a look into the distant future. (I hope and believe this to be true).
Gandhi's biggest flaw was believing that everyone could live with the courage that he did. Perhaps, this is what kept him from giving up. Ultimately though, this can't be deemed a flaw if it is an ability to have a faith in your fellow man that he does not possess himself.
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