Gandhi on Non-Violence

By Mahatma Gandhi

Book Overview

"One has to speak out and stand up for one's convictions. Inaction at a time of conflagration is inexcusable."--Mahatma Gandhi

The basic principles of Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and non-violent action (Satyagraha) were chosen by Thomas Merton for this volume in 1965. In his challenging Introduction, "Gandhi and the One-Eyed Giant," Merton emphasizes the importance of action rather than mere pacifism as a central component of non-violence, and illustrates how the foundations of Gandhi's universal truths are linked to traditional Hindu Dharma, the Greek philosophers, and the teachings of Christ and Thomas Aquinas.

Educated as a Westerner in South Africa, it was Gandhi's desire to set aside the caste system as well as his political struggles in India which led him to discover the dynamic power of non-cooperation. But, non-violence for Gandhi "was not simply a political tactic," as Merton observes: "the spirit of non-violence sprang from an inner realization of spiritual unity in himself." Gandhi's politics of spiritual integrity have influenced generations of people around the world, as well as civil rights leaders from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Steve Biko to V clav Havel and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mark Kurlansky has written an insightful preface for this edition that touches upon the history of non-violence and reflects the core of Gandhi's spiritual and ethical doctrine in the context of current global conflicts.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811216861
• ISBN13: 9780811216869
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

A very useful intro to Gandhi's thought

This collection of brief selections of Gandhi's thought has proved to be an exceptionally useful and concise intro to his amazing insight. There are only a couple other books I've found to be as useful -- the brief biographies of Richard Deats and Eknath Easwaran -- and either of which would serve as helpful companions to this volume. The Merton intro is wonderful; I'm looking forward to see what Kerlansky adds.

Powerful

I truly enjoyed this book. It does exactly what it is supposed to; it discusses important writings of Mahatma Ghandhi. There are tons of additional books for further reading, however this book is a concise and powerful collection of the writings of Ghandhi. Truly an inspiration that should be a required reading for every human being on this earth. Highly recommended.

could've been longer....

...but it's a good selection of Gandhi's thoughts on the topic, and Merton's intro is wonderful.

A good book to begin with

If you want to start with Ghandi's experience on non-violence, this is a good book to begin with. Altough brief, the thoughts and feelings of Ghandi are clearly shown.