An introduction to religious and spiritual experience

Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948)
Born Mohandas, later entitled Mahatma (great soul), Gandhi grew up 
in India, surrounded by various religions and was able to value the best 
in them all, taking from them an eclectic view which remained with 
him all his life. He studied law in England but it was in South Africa, 
where he experienced racial prejudice at first hand, that his political 
consciousness was awakened. From then on, he fought for the rights 
of his people, first in South Africa and later in India against British 
colonial rule.
Gandhi’s adherence to non-violence – 
ahimsa
– in his struggles became 
legendary. His was a life lived religiously, one in which political engage-
ment was undertaken with strict adherence to spiritual principles. 
A familiar figure in his dhoti (long loin cloth), Gandhi had hardy any 
possessions and used fasting as a weapon against injustice and violence. 
He protested against the imposition of a tax on salt by the colonial 
masters by leading the salt march to the sea in order to make illegal salt. 
This gained him an international reputation and got him arrested, but 
moved independence a step further forward. India became independent in 
1947, but Gandhi was heartbroken over Partition, the split of Muslim 
Pakistan from predominantly Hindu India and the ensuing killing of each 
other by Hindus and Muslims.
He was martyred six months later on 30 January 1948 by a Hindu 
fanatic, Nathuram Godse, who was unable to accept Gandhi’s rapproche-
ment with Muslims. It is said that Gandhi died with the words ‘Hey Ram’ 
(Oh God) on his lips. Thus a religious life was terminated in the name of 
religion: tolerance snuffed out by bigotry. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first 
Prime Minister of India had to announce Gandhi’s death on All India 
Radio, but could hardly bring himself to say the words,
The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, 
and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it.

---

Religious and Spiritual Experience
206