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Happy Birthday, Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi

Gandhi Jayanti is a National Holiday celebrated in India to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi, the Father of the Nation." It is one of the three official declared National Holidays of India and is observed in all Indian states and union territories. The United Nations General Assembly announced on 15 June 2007 that it adopted a resolution which declared that the 2nd of October will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Gandhi's Birthday
by David Krieger

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was born on October 2, 1869, was one of the great spiritual and peace leaders of the 20th century. He was a staunch advocate of non-violent social change, first in South Africa and later as the leader of the movement for Indian independence from British colonial rule.

Throughout his life, Gandhi stood for the dignity of all people, even those who fought against him. He was a champion of the rights of the “untouchables” in India and a persistent opponent of the Indian caste system. Gandhi also worked to peacefully resolve the conflicts between Hindus and Muslims and prevent the break up of India into Hindu and Muslim countries.

Gandhi believed that non-violence has great spiritual power and that spiritual power is reflected in non-violence. He was influenced in his philosophy of non-violence by the Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy and, in turn, influenced the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

When asked his opinion in 1949 of the 1945 US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Gandhi replied, “What has happened to the soul of the destroying nation is yet too early to see. Forces of nature act in a mysterious manner.”

Gandhi was a great peace hero. On this anniversary of his birth, it is worthwhile to reflect upon how Gandhi's philosophy and life of non-violence has changed the world and given us a model to aspire to as individuals and as a human community. Here are a few of Gandhi's statements for reflection:

“You have to stand against the whole world although you may have to stand alone. You have to stare the world in the face although the world may look at you with bloodshot eyes. Do not fear. Trust that little thing that resides in your heart.”

“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world that is the myth of the ‘atomic age' as in being able to remake ourselves.”

“Consciously or unconsciously, every one of us does render some service or other. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and will make not only for our own happiness, but that of the world at large…all of us are bound to place our resources at the disposal of humanity.”

*David Krieger is the president of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (www.wagingpeace.org).

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eva Libre on October 1, 2011 at 11:22pm

A Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Happy Birthday « Bapu »

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”

Permalink Reply by Nada Jung on October 2, 2011 at 1:33am

In remembrance of Gandhi and many others who have shared in his teachings of non-violence and activism let us practice on this day, and let us strive to practice every day the observances of yoga: Nonviolence and compassion, commitment to truthfulness, non-stealing, control of the senses that we may not be driven by fleeting and sensory desires, non-hoarding of wealth.

Gratitude for the gift that Gandhi gave of his life and teachings! Namasté

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”

“All the religions of the world, while they may differ in other respects, unitedly proclaim that nothing lives in this world but Truth.”

“Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.”

“Anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a monster that swallows it up.”

“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world – that is the myth of the atomic age – as in being able to remake ourselves.”

“Commonsense is the realised sense of proportion.”

“I do feel that spiritual progress does demand at some stage that we should cease to kill our fellow creatures for the satisfaction of our bodily wants.”

“Confession of errors is like a broom which sweeps away the dirt and leaves the surface brighter and clearer. I feel stronger for confession.”

“Culture of the mind must be subservient to the heart.”

“Be the change that you want to see in the world.”

Permalink Reply by tsering youdon on October 2, 2011 at 10:01am

happy jayanthi day

Permalink Reply by Terrance Newton on October 2, 2011 at 2:29am

Happy birthday to a great and wonderful human being. Gandhi showed humanity a way out of the hell we were and are in at present in by using love, non-violence, and forgiveness.

Permalink Reply by Béatrice LATEUR LACROIX on October 2, 2011 at 6:04pm

Happy birthday to you, dear master Ghandi and to your family and followers.

Thanks for your guidance !

Thanks for this page Eva and David.

Love and Peace for all Beings

Permalink Reply by Clicia Pavan on October 2, 2012 at 7:22pm

OCTOBER 2-2012 --Happy Birthday Mahatma Gandhi

2nd October marks the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. It is the day when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or in simpler words Bapu was born in 1869. Bapu has been one of the most memorable patriotic man who has given his best to bring independence to the country.
Happy Birthday Mahatma Gandhi
---------------
Outubro 2-2012 - Feliz aniversário Mahatma Gandhi

02 de outubro marca o aniversário de Mahatma Gandhi, o Pai da Nação. É o dia em que Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ou em simples palavras Bapu nasceu em 1869. Bapu tem sido um dos homens mais memorável patriótico que deu a vida para trazer a independência ao país.
Feliz aniversário Mahatma Gandhi

Permalink Reply by Clicia Pavan on October 2, 2012 at 7:23pm