Ideas in a Trivia #4: The Gandhi Moments

“Gandhi Moments” are milestones in history often centred on a personality that changed the course of a nation or humanity at large, through peaceful and non violent ways of these personalities but resulted in unfortunate and paradoxical violent end of the personalities themselves.

There are 3 distinct episodes from History that come to my mind when I think of the “Gandhi Moments” of humanity.

• The Crucifiction of Jesus, the Christ

Although there is considerably speculation about the factuality of the crucifiction episode most people believe the existence of Jesus and the noble life and ways that he taught. For me personally crucifiction of Jesus was perhaps one of the most painful moments in the history of man kind. But pain always brings out either the best or the worst in us. I think many of the principles of non violence, love and patience that Christianity believes in is hinged on this one moment in Christ’s life. I wonder what would have happened if Jesus took up arms and fought back the Jews and the Romans.

• Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of Satyagraha and Ahimsa

Gandhi’s life can be summarised using his own words, “"There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for."

It is said that when Angulimala, the dreaded killer who used to wear a garland made of human fingers encountered Gautama Buddha he was perplexed, scared and petrified by the peace and tranquillity that radiated from Buddha’s face. So much so that Angulimala gave up his violent ways instantly and became a monk.

Similar was Gandhi’s love and commitment to non violence that an entire British empire was afraid of him.

• Martin Luther King’s civil right movement and “I have a dream” speech

Martin Luther King changed the course of life for Blacks in America and perhaps the world over. He raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and created a new generation of human rights activists who core values were non violence and freedom of rights. Martin Luther King indeed change the texture of the 20th century and I hope he has done it irreversibly.

The sad side to all these ‘Gandhi Moments’ was that each of the personalities involved were either crucified or murdered violently.

This aspect is something that still intrigues me. Why is it that the most peace loving, non violent people in this world met with very tragic and violent deaths? Perhaps it’s because we human beings fear or do not understand the idea of peace and universal love. As strange and paradoxical as the idea may seem, that appears to be the only apparent truth.