After reading the article of Gandhi’s movie and watching the movie itself, I believe Gandhi’s view of Hinduism is one of peace. Gandhi’s Hinduism is that throughout your lifetime, you give your life for others; you approach a conflict peacefully and settle it without violence. While alive, you give up your own selfish needs and instead you work for the benefit for others, he also believes that everyone is equal and so must be treated as such. It can be proven that Gandhi’s Hinduism is all about peace towards violence and conflicts, as when one time in South Africa, when Gandhi was walking on the sidewalk, a group of hooligans stop him and threaten him for walking on the paved road. Gandhi however, didn’t retaliate violently. There was another time during a meeting where the Indian community was meeting in response to the new pass laws. Gandhi openly proclaimed that he would not be violent towards the policemen but will still protest peacefully and even die while protesting, but he will not harm another man. This is what I believe to be Gandhi’s Hinduism, which is one of peace, non violence, compassion, and self sacrifice for others.
Gandhi once quoted “Action expresses priorities”. This quote exemplifies how Gandhi lived out his faith. When Gandhi said something in protest towards an unjust law and act towards Indians, he would express his protest by actually doing it. However, he also said that he would do it peacefully and without any violence. During the protest against the pass laws, Gandhi didn’t just stand in front of the crowd of Indians to say he didn’t think the pass laws were fair, he then proceeded to express it by burning the passes in front of the police and the crowd. Even when he was beaten, he didn’t retaliate violently and still proceeded to burn the passes. Another time would be when he fasted during the riots. Gandhi was upset and disappointed on how the Indians fought over Hinduism and Islam. He then proceeded to fast to show that he would not stand for it and f he must, he would die because he believed he was the one that started this whole conflict. When Gandhi stayed over at his Muslim friend’s house, he showed that he didn’t care whether his friend was a Muslim, Hindu, Jew, or Christian. He showed that people are equal and of the same rank. These are the reasons how the quote “Action expresses priorities” exemplifies how Gandhi lived out his faith.
