image from Google public domain
Mahatma Gandhi’s 5 Teachings To Bring About World Peace
“If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought, acted and inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Editor’s note: This post was written by Shilpan Patel of the Success Soul blog.
Have you ever dreamed about a joyful world with peace and prosperity for all Mankind – a world in which we respect and love each other despite the differences in our culture, religion and way of life?
I often feel helpless when I see the world in turmoil, a result of the differences between our ideals. This leads to grief and sorrow being inflicted on millions of innocent victims by a few who abuse the power of their convictions.
“How can I make difference so that I may bring peace to this world that I love and cherish so much? A name flickers instantly in my mind.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi inspired the world with his faith in truth and justice for all Mankind. He was a great soul who loved even those who fought against his ideals to bring about peace with non-violence.
How could a meek and fragile person of small physical stature inspire millions to bring about a profound change in a way the mightiest had never achieved before? His achievements were nothing less than miracles — his creed was to bring peace to not only those who suffered injustice and sorrow but to espouse a new way of life for Mankind, with peace and harmony. His life was a message — a message of peace over power, of finding ways to reconcile our differences, and of living in harmony with respect and love even for our enemy.
Teaching # 1: Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment. — Mahatma Gandhi
The force of power never wins against the power of love. At this hour of greatest unrest and turmoil in our world, the greatest force to be reckoned with lies within our hearts — a force of love and tolerance for all. Throughout his life, Mahatma Gandhi fought against the power of force during the heyday of British rein over the world. He transformed the minds of millions, including my father, to fight against injustice with peaceful means and non-violence. His message was as transparent to his enemy as it was to his followers. He believed that, if we fight for the cause of humanity and greater justice, it should include even those who do not conform to our cause. History attests to his power as he proved that we can bring about world peace by seeking and pursuing truth for the benefit of Mankind. We can resolve the greatest of our differences if we dare to have a constructive conversation with our enemy.
Teaching # 2: What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?
A war always inflicts pain and sorrow on everyone. History has witnessed countless examples of dictators, including Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin to name but a few, who inflicted sorrow and destruction on our world. A world of peace can be achieved if we learn the power of non-violence, as shown by the life of Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi has proven that we can achieve the noble causes of liberty, justice and democracy for Mankind without killing anyone, without making a child an orphan, and without making anyone homeless with the damage caused by war.
Teaching # 3: There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no cause that I am prepared to kill for. — Mahatma Gandhi
We live for our values and passion but at the core of our existence lies our innate desire to live a peaceful life. The greatest noble cause is to display our desire to bring about peace in this world by our own sacrifice and not that of those who oppose our views. The strength of cowardice is in using power to cause death and destruction for others. The strength of courage is in self-sacrifice for the benefit of all.
Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his own lucrative law practice in Durban, South Africa to lead a simple life and to share the pain of the powerless and destitute. He won over the hearts of millions without ever reigning power over anyone — simply with the power of altruism. We too can bring peace to our world by showing our willingness to sacrifice our self-centered desires. Our utmost cause in life should be to win the hearts of others by showing our willingness to serve causes greater than ourselves.
Teaching # 4: An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind — Mahatma Gandhi
History can attest to the fact that most human conflicts have been as a result of a stubborn approach by our leaders. Our history would turn out for the better if our leaders could just learn that most disputes can be resolved by showing a willingness to understand the issues of our opponents and by using diplomacy and compassion.
No matter where we live, what religion we practice or what culture we cultivate, at the heart of everything, we are all humans. We all have the same ambitions and aspirations to raise our family and to live life to its fullest. Our cultural, religious and political differences should not provide the backbone to invoke conflicts that can only bring sorrow and destruction to our world.
Teaching #5: We must become the change we want to see in the world. — Mahatma Gandhi
A great leader always leads with an exemplary life that echoes his ideals. Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed his thriving law practice and adopted a simple life to live among the millions who lived in poverty during his freedom struggle. Today, we see modern leaders cajoling the masses with promises that they never intend to keep – let alone practicing what they preach in their own lives. One cannot bring world peace to all unless a leader demonstrates peaceful acts of kindness daily. Mahatma Gandhi believed that we are all children of God. We should not discriminate amongst ourselves based on faith, caste, creed or any other differences.
An outstanding example of Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership was his famous Salt March, which brought about a profound change. On March 2nd 1930, as a protest at tax on salt, Gandhi wrote a remarkable letter to Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India. He wrote, “Dear Friend, I cannot intentionally hurt anything that lives, much less fellow human beings, even though they may do the greatest wrong to me and mine. Whilst, therefore, I hold the British rule to be a curse, I do not intend to harm to a single Englishman or to any legitimate interest he may have in India…” With these words, he inspired millions to fight for this righteous cause and eventually forced the British to leave India without inflicting harm to any Englishman. Such were the quintessential qualities of justice and peace that made Mahatma Gandhi the man who changed our world for the better with his ideals of faith, love and tolerance.
“Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.” – Albert Einstein on Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi taught us that we can bring harmony to our world by becoming champions of love and peace for all. The task is daunting, but he has shown that a fragile, meekly man of small physical stature can achieve feats of incredible magnitude with a staunch belief to practice peace through non-violence. Will you make a pledge to become the change that you would like to see in this world? I have.
Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:
- I shall not fear anyone on Earth.
- I shall fear only God.
- I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.
- I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.
- I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.
– Mahatma Gandhi
Sigh, all these words are lovely and inspiring. . . .. . but there is more unrest in the world now than every before. More hate, selfishness, anger, lying, power grabbing, stealing. . . .Oh, if we could see more faith, generosity, kindness, patience, gentleness, charity, faithfulness, and the greatest. . . . love. . . . . . .
TalesAlongTheWay 
If only…x
LikeLike
I so agree, if only. We have to keep trying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a long , seeming never ending acts of man’s inhumanity to man! Thanks, Chess!
LikeLiked by 1 person
International Peace Day is coming up on September 21, 2015. You wrote a very timely piece showing respect and honor to those who “laid their life on the line,” daily showing how a true loving, peaceful person should live their life. I will definitely keep praying and hoping for Peace to be during our lifetime, for the sake of others and the children in the world. Lovely post, Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for that heads up . It is discouraging but we must continuing to pray and working for peace!
LikeLike
Why then do many say this then stand back and see genocide, WWI, WWII, Syria, Bosnia, Palestine and more? Sadly a book dictates what peace is allowed or ignored. Prove me wrong..please..no anger/hate, just confusion from a guy who knows the worry of bombs killing me as a kid. Who gets told to F”” Off home Fe@@@@@ B@@@@@….While I am home. I have lived what I write about in a small way. People safe from War will sit back, watch rubbish news and be a fake person xx
LikeLike
Agreed and well said
LikeLike
What are the odds!!
http://shaunynews.com/2015/09/20/public-talk-by-arun-gandhi-the-grandson-of-mahatma-gandhi-edinburgh-scotland/
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a friend and fellow blogger, how would YOU, any reader answer these?
I shall not fear anyone on Earth.
I shall fear only God.
I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.
I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.
I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.
My answers
I shall not fear anyone on Earth. – I fear for people who are being killed, that count?
I shall fear only God. – I fear dying too soon and leaving Dawn with the kids, surly 1st always?
I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.- I get this done to be every day, often by idiots unaware they are HATE and are doing it, just angry uneducated people.
I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.- I used to be bad, but I grew up and gave back free. I worked with kids, teens and adults for free, I became the change I wanted to be
I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.- THIS, These are words I would use..I write facts, proven always, yet blind remain controlled
So,,lets get debate going, who will answer?
LikeLike
It seems to that beginning is all about the fact that in the end we only have control over ourselves. It is our personal responsibility to make peace with ourself, God , and others. I afraid world peace is pretty nearly impossible without universal heart changes but everyone seems to have their own agenda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly what I did. I say it always and it’s been on the sidebar of my wall for over a year..
“I can’t change the World, so I change my World”
If we all did this…What a world we would have…
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree completely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we need to take care of the bolder in our own eye before we worry about the speck in our neighbor’s eye.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t. I have always tried to help others help themselves before me. Dawn always reminds me to take care of myself.
Over the weekend I had no medication and I allowed hate to make me angry.
Silly, silly me. x
LikeLike
I hope you are feeling better now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah…Took no medication for 2 days. I just wanted to see how my body reacted. In the end I had no medication at all for 55 hours. Slept, woke up. Then I lost like 10 hours, totally lost them. Spoke to Ed, we Skyping soon. I stand by my principles, but I am better than that, way better than that. I allowed hate to make me hate. Ed said to me “We don’t agree on all things, but who does” Just few hours ago, to me. He is a wise lad and a good friend. Friends fall out. If I could pick 1 person who I disagree with most it would be Dawn, lol. But we have fun with it. Nobody died or was hurt on the internet due to anyone..
More love, less hatred
Shaun
PS: I mean that. But how will you take it as in reading it? I can only say what I think and know. I can’t hate, my past tells me what it does. Ignorance is bad, denying ones ignorance is worse..
x
LikeLike
Shaun, I don’t expect to agree with anyone all the time. I just want to treat everyone with respect and be treated with respect. . . . No name calling, no swearing , no snide remarks. I don’t expect perfection but we have had this happen several times before. Do you think this is asking too much? Can you try to do this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
When we Skype, never 1 problem. When we Type you read wrong. This is why we agreed to Skype only. You say you have never seen this hate. I am almost the same.. So, it’s a 2 way street Anne. Can you? x
LikeLike
Shaun , I am getting upset! What did I say that was hate? Just because I didn’t agree? You don’t seem to understand and you don’t seem sorry for what you said to Ed and me. Shaun, I don’t want to go through this again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shaun, I hope things are better with you today. I am sure it was very hard going off all the meds and a terrible shock to your system. I think we can agree to disagree and sometime agree to agree! 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah but I knew this the day we met. Anne I think maybe my 15 years in Social Media and seeing all it’s emotions I am maybe just more experienced at dealing with people or issues. Being a Football manager for 15 years also makes you a strong character, how can we lead other if we are weak ourselves. So this is all I know for the internet and what also confuses me often. People taking words wrong. Maybe in time people who maybe are not used to the almost evil Social Media and what it can do us all. I was born into this technology, my Dad wasn’t, neither were any of my elders, and I say this with a smile and in fun, they really are hopeless at Social Media…They think it is real, they think it makes a difference. From my 22 years on Social Media I have not seen the internet change one thing. All this is here are an accumulation of Billions of people’s thoughts. 4.9 Billion of 7 Billion on Earth are on Social Media on a daily basis, younger kids like mine and yours can sit on Social Media all the way to work, through work, and it’s the new “Going out to play” Kids don’t go out any more, Technology is amazing but it divides us. Social Media could, if we used our imagination, be an easy place to make people argue. I see it 100 times a day in the 22 places I go when I hit publish. You think you seen hate? A few years ago and I think I may have the blog stored. A guy said “All Jews should die as the run and destroy our World” I slapped him down so hard I think I got 100 awards for it 😀 The fool was just that, uneducated fool, making a fool of himself online to millions.
Let me see if I can find it via a .Word document as I keep them all there in-case my site gets hacked..
For me it’s not a case of agreeing to disagree…That for me is not the right words for what I said myself often. I think we should re-word it “Learn to understand the internet is Billions of opinions and hate is optional” Like I say I never hate. More love less hate. These are not cheesy catchlines to make people like me. I get hated every day but I refuse that hate and keep smiling. But I have been hated now for 22 years..
lol x I mean that in fun and in context. x
LikeLike
I am glad I have no agenda apart from just getting through 1 day. My agenda is democracy for Scotland. Apart from that my only agenda would be trying to wake people up to why the World is so nice in our own homes, well for us lucky ones like you and I and everyone who is on here. Knowing Evil runs our World, for me is a no brainer. I have met him… So I know how to protect from him.
x
LikeLike
That is a good reminder for all of us, Shaun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we need to understand, remember, and remain on guard against the evil in this world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Defining where this Evil lives is becoming more and more aware to our World. Check my last blog. This is how the WORLD see’s it and how 150 Million others don’t.
x
Be well and prosper
LikeLike
Pingback: The Rhythm Calling to Be Known - Opening to the Possibility
Thanks for the ping back.
LikeLike
Thanks for ping back.
LikeLike
Pingback: Gandhi’s murderer getting statue, jail for eating beef in theocratic India? | Dear Kitty. Some blog