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| Influence Of Buddhism On Gandhi’s Principle Of Non-Violence — A representative image. |
File Information
| Document Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Influence Of Buddhism On Gandhi’s Principle Of Non-Violence |
| Article Credit | Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), ISSN: ISSN-2349-5162, Vol.: Volume 11, Issue: Issue 9, Year: 2024, (Pubd in: Jetir.org) |
| Author | Rijusmita Uzir (Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Tamulpur Degree College, Tamulpur, India) |
| Subject | This article examines how Buddhist philosophy shaped Gandhi’s understanding and practice of non-violence, especially through Satya, Ahimsa, forgiveness and the idea of Nirvana. |
| Category | Journal article |
| Institution | Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR) |
| Country of Publication | India |
| Main Topics | Buddhist philosophy, Gandhi’s principle of non-violence, Satya and Ahimsa, Four Noble Truths, Nirvana and Moksha, forgiveness and non-anger, Gandhi’s speeches and writings, The Light of Asia and The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi |
| Number of Pages | 2 |
| Language | English |
| File Type | |
| File Size | 627.6 KB |
Summary Note of this Document
Influence Of Buddhism On Gandhi’s Principle Of Non-Violence
This article investigates the influence of Buddhist philosophy on Gandhi’s principle of non-violence. It argues that Gandhi’s commitment to Satya and Ahimsa was deeply shaped by Buddhist teachings and by his reading of texts such as Sir Edwin Arnold’s The Light of Asia and his own autobiography. The discussion situates Buddhism as an ethical and philosophical tradition centered on the Four Noble Truths, the Eight Fold Path, karma, nirvana and disciplined conduct, then links these ideas to Gandhi’s public speeches and writings. Particular attention is given to Gandhi’s statements in 1916, 1917, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1928 and 1937, where he connects Buddhism with truth, non-violence, forgiveness and courage. The article also considers Gandhi’s claim that Nirvana in Buddhism and in the Gita refer to the same state, showing how he read Hindu and Buddhist traditions as compatible rather than opposed. Overall, the paper presents Gandhi as a thinker who admired the Buddha, treated ahimsa as a central virtue, and understood non-violence as an active ethical force rather than a passive withdrawal from conflict.
Core Themes
- Buddhist influence on Gandhi
- ethical non-violence
- truth and spiritual liberation
- forgiveness as an active virtue
- compatibility of Buddhism and Hinduism
Keywords
About Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi lived from 1869 to 1948. Born in India, he trained as a lawyer and became a political thinker. Colonial rule repelled him. He opposed it fiercely and eventually led India’s independence movement.
Gandhi pioneered Satyagraha, the power of truth and nonviolent resistance. He put these ideals into practice during political and social upheavals. Over twenty years in South Africa shaped his thinking. That’s where he developed his tactics of nonviolent defiance. He returned to India in 1915 and launched major movements against British rule. Non-Cooperation Movement. Salt March. Quit India Movement. Each one challenged colonial domination.
In 1883 he married Kasturba Gandhi. Marriage and family life remained central to who he was. He spoke powerfully about his beliefs. His writing included Hind Swaraj, Satyagraha in South Africa, and The Story of My Experiments with Truth, his autobiography.
His vision stretched beyond political independence. Religious harmony mattered to him. Social equality. Self-reliance. Women’s rights. Ending untouchability. All of these were part of what he fought for.
Nonviolence and Satyagraha shaped movements worldwide. Civil rights activists drew from his example. Freedom struggles across the globe felt his influence. His approach changed how people thought about resistance and change.
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