Thread by @vakibs

A nice critical article on the role of Gandhi in the Indian independence movement, by @dharmadispatch. Today is Gandhi’s Vardhanti (day of remembrance). The best way to remember Gandhi is to critically examine his ideas. Only that will bring them alive.

dharmadispatch.in/did-mohandas-k…

@dharmadispatch The essay does justice to both the gifts and follies of Gandhi. It has great quotes from D.V. Gundappa and R.C.Majumdar, who examined how Gandhi’s sanctification (a process that he encouraged) ultimately had adverse affects on the health of Indian political debate and democracy.

@dharmadispatch But I disagree with the essay, and also with the opinion of Gandhi’s contemporary Aurobindo, that Gandhi’s ideas derive not from Indian traditions, but from a pacific form of Christianity, via Tolstoy.

I think this opinion is uncharitable to both Gandhi and Dharmic traditions.

@dharmadispatch My own opinion is that Gandhi was an extremely gifted man as well as a flawed genius. On his patriotism, we cannot fault even a bit. He might have been (willingly) blind to how his opponents (the British) are using him as a useful idiot. But he was a highly principled man.

@dharmadispatch In this essay, I compared Gandhian thought with Daoism, elaborating what I thought are remarkable parallels. I also commented on where exactly would Gandhi fall short of being a Daoist sage. I think this helps us evaluate Gandhian alignment with Dharma.

indiafacts.org/daoist-interpr…

@dharmadispatch On whether Gandhi was influenced by Tolstoy, there can be no doubt. But Tolstoy himself was influenced by Buddhism, and to a lesser extent by Hinduism and Daoism. This had a great effect on his writings, as much as Christianity.

Read this very nice essay.rbth.com/arts/2014/10/1…