Relevance of Gandhi's philosophy today?

Answer 1

Ahimsa and tolerance are two main pillars of the entire teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. In the present context... the teachings of ahimsa are as relevant as they were in the earlier times. Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism was the biggest exponent of ahimsa. Followed him next... Mahatma Gandhi. Ahimsa primarily is a very broad-based subject. To pin pointedly categorize what constitutes ahimsa and what not is difficult.

Killing an animal for the sake of food... would it constitute as a sin or not is debatable. Still, following the path of ahimsa is far better than indulging in violence and killing. The path of tolerance also has its limits. It would not be applicable today as it was applicable in the times Mahatma Gandhi. We are not supposed to show our tolerance facing bullets from the terrorists. Every aspect of life must be logically weighted for both pros and cons. whatever seems more appropriate in the present context must be followed.

On the path of serious spirituality... practicing tolerance has its dividends. Our resolve for compassion grows stronger. We practice forgiveness to its extreme. In the field of spirituality if we desire reaching our destined goal in life... practicing tolerance is an essential must. In the worldly life... tolerance need be practiced with caution. In the spiritual domain... it becomes an integral part of our being. More on sins and ahimsa - http://www.godrealized.org/karma/who_is_a_sinner.html

Answer 2

Mahatma Gandhiji's thoughts are relevant for ever. It stems from the fundamental philosophy of non-violence and it is more relevant in the current day world. If practiced by all nations there will be no need for weapons of any kind. Gandhi used only one weapon against the British Empire. That is 'Sathyagraha'. (peaceful resistance). His faith is mainly based on Truth, non-violence and non-cooperation when confronted by mighty powers.

Answer 3

Gandhiji's philosophy is very much relevant even today b coz that was based on solid principles which does not change with time in similar manner as telling a lie & violence are bad taday too as those were so earlier. Basic principles never change with time & age as 2+2=4 is true today & will be so after 2000 years too.

Answer 4

He proved that might and power are not absolute through money and aggression. That oppression of a people is wrong and a slavery never works.

That peaceful means of handling things also brings about more profound changes than force does, as force upon others never accomplishes much more than a short lived 'victory.'

Where you find solutions to work across the boards for the many, rather than the few you will always be more successful, remembered, respected and revered than any dictator will ever hope to be.

These aren't necessarily Gandhi's philosophies, but he became famous for the obvious accomplishments he performed in his duty to his fellows. But note, you don't have to kill yourself in your duties to accomplish worthwhile goals - they apply today as they always will in the future, but with wise interpretation of aligned actions to yourself.

Answer 5

gandhiji's philosophy does have relevance today and will always have but at different levels...the point is how to use his philosophy n values in today's day n age...his methods of dealing with tough situations will have to vary upto a certain extent today...u cant expect to b completely like him..like today no one will b ready to give his/her other cheek to get a slap...n even the person slapping wont b ashamed instead wud probably give another slap! n also remember that if bapu did 10 good things he was also responsible 4 bhagat singh's death... but no doubt bapu's values are imp. 4 everyone to implement in their lives cuz they only make u a better human being...n any philosophy which teaches u to b a good human being can never b out of relevance...

Answer 6

Truth, Ahimsa (non violence), and Kindness are the watch words of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. It is relevant today and also for tomorrow, as long as humanity exists.

If you question, should humanity exist, the answer has to be yes and it cannot be achieved with violence. Practising non violence can only differ in degrees of practise. If non violence is dispensed with; the world will tend towards tyranny.

Answer 7

Gandhi's philosophy is based on pragmatism.
The quintessence of his philosophy is as follows:
Truth is eternal and is God. So, stick to truth.
Nonviolence is to be practised always no matter how provocative the situation might be.
Practise before you preach has great moral force.
Do not speak lies
Do not hear bad things
Do not see bad things.
These three don'ts bring mental peace.

Answer 8

Gandhi by his bringing up, seeing society, doing advocacy in Africa, seeing the difference between treatment among Black and white, with the experiences within him shared them for achievement of Independencde to India. Simple living and high thinking was his philosophy for keeping the India in rich position and following the principle of simplicity. One Gandhi could do it and no other gandhi is there to follow the same simple living. Hence, that philosophy though in theorty is not practically approaching to everyone and they are saying on papers, puttig the principles to grab vote power and no improvement to India. So, it is a failure. Hence, better not to follow that philosophy.

Answer 9

gandhiji's philosphy is very relevant in today's time because he not only believed in truth and non-violence....he followed a seven set of rules ....or rather there were seven social sins he talked about and he said that if these sins are committed then a country or a human being can never progress....these seven social sins were:
1. knowledge without character.
2. science without humanity.
3. worship without sacrifice.
4. pleasure without conscience
5. wealth without work.
6.politics without principles
7.commerce without morality.

and if you observe all these social sins have some kind of relevance in the present society!

and the country if avoids such sins can progress in the best possible way!

Answer 10

Gandhi was in himself a legacy of philosophy. The longer-term impact of the man warrants every comment on him in its own right. If all those individuals and movements that have been influenced by Gandhian ideals were to be listed it would read like a roll-call of the great moralists of the twentieth century, and of its great crusades. The careers of men like Danilo Dolci and Martin Luther King or the numerous civil rights campaigns and peace movements were inspired by the ideal of passive disobedience and non-violence. Gandhi has inspired operas like Philip Glass's 'Satyagraha', and novels, such as R.K.Narayan's 'Waiting for the Mahatma'.
It is often assumed that within India Gandhi suffered the fate of all political saints - he was placed on a pedestal and forgotten. This is untrue. The ideas of Gandhi continued to be debated among Gandhians, his opponents, especially the Indian communists, and the ruling elite, particularly during the Prime Ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru. Vinoba Bhave, Gandhi's heir-apparent, took over the Gandhian constructive movement, giving it a more radical edge through his attempt, in the Bhoodan Movement, to bring about a voluntary redistribution of land to the poorer peasantry, above all, to the landless. He was to be strongly supported by Jayaprkash Narayan, whose socialism took on an increasingly Gandhian complexion, and who began to devise sophisticated programmes for the modernization of Indian villages but still inspired by the Gandhian anarchist vision of decentralisation and self-sufficiency. Narayan, or J.P., as he was familiarly known, exerted enormous moral influence by the 1970s and became the leader of national opposition to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (Nehru's daughter, no relation of the Mahatma) during the Emergency period of 1975- 77. His leadership does much to explain the astonishing defeat of the Congress Party in the 1979 elections.