________________
A Journey of Ahimsa
one bomb can not be destroyed with another more powerful one. For mankind to survive, non-violence is the only way open to it. Love is the antidote to violence, for violence leads to more violence."
If a person can follow and practise his religion with least violence in any form, he / she should avoid it completely. Gandhiji would not permit plucking a flower for worship if one can worship without offering a flower. He drew our attention to a very important fact, namely, the presence of violence in every religion and sect. To hurt the religious feelings of people of a particular sect or to hold their beliefs to ridicule are also subtle forms of violence. This inevitably leads to enmity and hatred. To behave in a way which one's religion does not permit or to impose one's religion, on the strength of power and money on others against their wishes is also tantamount to violence, according to Gandhiji. This resultant violence, says Gandhi, leads to so called holy wars causing untold suffering to the people and the nations as a whole. Therefore, one must learn to respect other's religion and develop a spirit of tolerance and accommodation. One must practise the basic tenets of one's own religion and not indulge in religion conversion.
Gandhiji advocated the building of a political empire on the foundation of non violence and which alone can make the state stable, strong and people-friendly. A political system should be such which gives priority to the welfare of its own people and is not aimed at destroying another weak state or country. If a state or country prospers at the cost of another country, it is nothing but violence, asserts Gandhi and if this mindset does not change, world peace will remain an
Jain Education International
171
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
