Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)The peacemaker

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

2 Presentation plan

Gandhi’s life

Principles and spirituality

The legacy of Gandhi

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

3 The history of Gandhi : a life of struggle and peace

Born in 1869, member of the merchant cast.

1888 – 1891 : lawyer studies in London.

1893 – 1914 : first experience of Civil Rights Movements in South Africa.

1909 : publication of the Hind Swaraj, or Indian Home Rule.

Link to Hind Swaraj

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

4 The history of Gandhi : a life of struggle and peace

1918 - 1921 : intensification of civil disobedience campaigns in India. Gandhi is the leader of the Indian National Congress.

1922: arrest by the British, trial and two-year detention.

1930 : the Dandi march (200 miles, 80 days) to denounce the government salt monopoly.

1932 : second arrest and beginning of a fast to protest against the casts and untouchables.

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

5 The history of Gandhi : a life of struggle and peace

1947 : independence of India, a great victory for Gandhi. Meanwhile : eruption of violence between Hindus and Muslims.

1948 : Gandhi is assassinated by a Hindu fanatic. He then became the father of the Indian Nation.

More details about Gandhi’s biography

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

6 The universal philosophy of Gandhi

Ahimsa : spiritual concept of non-violence from different influences (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism). Living beings have the spark of the divine spiritual energy; therefore, to hurt another being is to hurt oneself.

Satyagraha : the philosophy of truth force and civil resistance. It does not seek to destroy the relationship with an opponent, but rather to “purify” it to a higher level.

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

7 The universal philosophy of Gandhi

Charkha : the spinning wheel. It became the symbol of the native industry and of Indian independence.

To sum up : a spirituality at the edge of religion (from Europe or Asia) and philosophy (especially Tolstoy).

Articles about Gandhi’s philosophy

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

8 The legacy of Gandhi

In India :

First non-violent revolution in History

Cast distinctions and taboos broken

Social reforms with the Ashram movement

A message of tolerance synthetizing religions

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

9 The legacy of Gandhi

In the world :

The civil right movements : Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi…

The decolonization

About the spiritual children of Gandhi

05/01/2023Mahatma Gandhi, the peacemaker

10 Conclusion