Ahimsa Concept Analysis

Superior Essays
Analyzing Ahimsa: Perspectives of Hindu Concepts Power It All One of Hinduism’s influences, Mahatma Gandhi, stated a phrase, changing the way our modern world functions today: “Non-violence is an active force of the highest order. It is soul force or the power of Godhead within us”. Because of this spiritual man’s impact, human evolution has strongly developed. However, some members of society are still pleading for an active right that many are fortunate to possess—world peace—leaving organizations and motivational speakers telling communities about his message, reminding us to be the change and be in aid for many. Gandhi established a divergent message pertaining to how non-violence is supposed to function today using ahimsa, where its …show more content…
For instance, an intelligent person who spent years studying for their job works in an office but discovers that they are simply “an ordinary person” when comparing themselves to other positions of the business. They are not the key decision maker for the company that they work in, but do input ideas into projects and plan things out. Manas is a supervisor in our lives, as ahimsa is, both making sure that we are carrying on things that we are supposed to fulfill by the end, but only telling humans to do what they are only capable of doing. We cannot establish a world peace law by ourselves, or fully change the whole world. A human can only make what seems like a little difference, but it really does end up having a big impact on the rest of the world somehow. Manas is our minds, which makes decisions for us, however, is not a physical, scientific view of our brain—it is more spiritual. Gandhi speaks about nonviolence being a personal virtue, and manas, in this case, is something we personally have to fulfill and expand. It is a common sense that associates itself with religion and how to fulfill life the most, and if we would like to achieve ahimsa, we should listen to what our manas are telling us… so peace can make us

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi are constantly hailed as the world’s examples of peaceful protest, the two achieving opposite goals with equal success without unnecessary violence. The two shared similarities of being strongly rooted in religion but in opposite manners. Gandhi’s methods exclusively catered to the religious with many of his ideas crossing a “point at which the humanistic and the religious attitudes cease to be reconcilable” (Orwell, 4). His philosophies rely heavily on the followers aligning with the same religious beliefs that he lived all aspects of his life by. Both men lived religious lives with Dr. King “being the son, the grandson and the great-grandson of preachers” (King) and Gandhi living an ascetic life completely governed by his religious beliefs.…

    • 1015 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Orwell criticizes Gandhi's position a couple different times throughout this short passage. He states about loving people as Gandhi talks about not having close friends. And he also states about not having to be perfect all the time. First off, Orwell uses quotations to give readers factual evidence of what Gandhi talked about. Gandhi said, "friends react on one another," basically saying that close friendships are hard to have because you both influence each other.…

    • 225 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    When it comes to religious beliefs, the human experience aspect plays a very important role. Although there are other forms of influence when choosing or learning about a religion, in my opinion the human experience plays the most vital role. Whether your religion is passed down to you through your family or you make your own individual of which religion you would like to pursue, it is inevitable to have your outlook swayed (even in the slightest). I was born into a family of Christians. However as I grow older meet more people of other religions the things I practiced and the way that I practice them have changed.…

    • 1972 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Non-violence works as a strategy to bring about change because it is morally and strategically superior to any other strategy, and because it works for changes that will benefit all people. Non-violence, as a morally and strategically superior method to bring about change is first seen in Document 1. Document 1 is a letter from Mohandas Gandhi to the English governor in India where Gandhi explains why he plans to use non-violence and how doing so will make British recognize the “wrong they have done to India,” (Doc 1/ Letter to Irwin). Also in the document, Gandhi points out that the physical harming of a peaceful entity violates the morals of nearly every civilization around the Globe. This means that by using non-violence, Gandhi’s movement is morally superior to his opposition, which put the morals and reputation of the opposition into play, coaxing the other side to comply with Gandhi’s requests.…

    • 443 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Mandela And Gandhi Dbq

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Additionally, this demonstrates nonviolence movements brings people closer together, while violent protests drive people apart indicating that non-violence movements are more successful. As one can see, through influence and sacrifice Gandhi succeeded in his nonviolent…

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” -Mahatma Gandhi. In this quote Gandhi is pointing out that by using violence, we destroy what little bit of humanity we have left. By using our words and not violence we get our point across not only in a more respectful manner but with less destruction after all.…

    • 625 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Gandhi’s peace would eventually have tremendous impact on social and political reforms through his non-violent protest methods. Although Henry David Thoreau makes a good case for the need for change within his government, Gandhi makes a better case for change with his essay because he believes pride can develop into fascism, no nation can be happy as the result…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This reveals that Gandhi wants the British Government to understand why the people of India want independence. To conclude, one must find a peaceful solution using non-violent actions to achieve true…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Dbq Non Violence Essay

    • 668 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Non-violence is a peaceful way to evoke social and political change. Three cases where non-violence worked were in the countries of India, the United States, and South Africa where people felt they were being treated unjust. Gandhi, King, and Mandela all used non-violence, what made it work? Nonviolence is the practice of refraining from the use of violence when protesting against oppression. The use of non-violence by Gandhi, King, and Mandela worked because they were strong leaders who were able to unify people and used effective methods when protesting.…

    • 668 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian independence movement leader, once said, “I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” Gandhi explained the good that people think they are creating from violence only lasts for a temporarily, whereas the severe consequences caused by violence will always remain. This is an important quote to consider because it is true, as evidenced by World War I. During World War I, violence may have appeared to do good- many countries/individuals may have thought that they were one step closer to winning the war by using violence, but in reality, just like Germany, they probably were not even close to winning. They ended up killing millions of people and damaged…

    • 1306 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” However, even his peace movements that were heard throughout the world involved some form of violence. Many events preceding the American Revolution solidify the doubts about having violence in this world in order to create change. The Stamp Act riots, the battle of Lexington and Concord, and peace movements around the world promote the idea that violence is a sound strategy to bring about significant political and social change.…

    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Hinduism and Jainism are both ancient religions originating from South Asia, or more specifically India. They both have many similar characteristic features, such as the concepts of samsara, karma and moksha. But, they also differs in many things, even including the concepts of three aforementioned terms. This essay will compare the following five concepts: karma, samasara, ahimsa, moksha, and world renunciation, and explain their purposes in both Hinduism and Jainism. Notably these five concepts are surprisingly complex and carries great deals of importance to both religions.…

    • 1023 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Gandhi Rhetorical Analysis

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Gandhi had established concise and persuasive concept of freedom from the utilization of ethos, pathos, logos, and other rhetorical devices fashioning a more solid argument. At first glance, the use of ethos within Gandhi 's letter conveys how properly the letter spoke to the people of India and to the British rule; this is due to his own morals and non-violent tendencies. Gandhi was then able to sway a large majority of Indians to stand with him. Raised by Hindu parents Gandhi was heavily influenced by Jainism. The Jains believe in Ahimsa, which is refraining from non-violent tendencies including physical, mental, or verbal, aggression.…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Likewise, she pulls in the teachings of Ghandi and Buddha, both highly known and revered worldwide for their efforts in peacemaking. Buddha, through her mention of the four -agati and Ghandi through the comparison she showed between him and her father previously mentioned. She uses their examples to relate her own peacemaking efforts to her country’s situation. By using the words…

    • 1416 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Ahimsa, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the belief of nonviolence toward any living being. On August 8th, 1942 Mahatma Gandhi gave his “Quit India” speech, which called on India to exercise his belief in Ahimsa. The speech was also significant because it established Gandhi’s dedication to the concept of non-violence in order to achieve India’s independence from Great Britain. This speech was particularly important compared to Gandhi’s other speeches because the All-India Congress Committee had decided on a policy to end the British rule in India immediately, and Gandhi was recognized as the leader in the campaign. This paper will analyze evidence that Gandhi displayed in his “Quit India” speech through the interpretation and…

    • 2103 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays