Mahatma Gandhi

Perhaps future generations will not believe that a man of ordinary flesh and blood walked on this earth, - said Albert Einstein about Mahatma Gandhi. History really knows a lot of people who could change the world. But few of them carried the spirit, so foreign kingdom in this world that seemed alien from another world.

  

The first half of the XX century ... Instead, the kingdom of reason, freedom and justice, which people were waiting for the XIX century., An era of unprecedented violence and powerlessness.

Cynical or insane leaders give orders - and millions of people are willing to kill each other in the world wars. Several submachine lead to the death of a convoy of thousands of adults - and no one tries to resist. Enthusiastic crowds greet executioners. Unthinking submission, betrayal, cruelty becomes the supreme virtue.

Violence has become ubiquitous and mundane, became the norm, crumpled in a person's own belief in the importance, in the ability to change anything. People have nothing to oppose tyranny, and their growing power of the powerless claims of violence.

How to break the vicious circle of violence and powerlessness? Can I now the belief in human rights and that it could be the basis?  The answer to these questions was the whole life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Youth Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in one of the small principalities of Western India. Ancient born Gandhi belonged to the merchant caste lations, however, and his grandfather, father and Gandhi were the chief ministers of small principalities. The Gandhi families strictly observe religious rites - the mother was deeply religious. Father Gandhi was revered for justice and integrity, and despite the high post, remained a wealthy man. He was an opponent of religious and communal strife, to respect people regardless of their religious and caste that rarely encountered in India at the time.

Mohandas was the youngest child in the family of his childhood and recalled: I was very shy and avoided the company of children. Only friends were my books and the lessons ... I literally ran home (from school), as could not stand to talk to someone ... In addition, I was a coward. I was afraid of thieves, ghosts and snakes ... Darkness terrifies me ... As far as I remember, I myself was not a very good opinion of his abilities. I usually surprised when received awards or scholarships. At the same time I was extremely proud, the slightest remark caused me to tears.  

Timid, shy boy nedetskiy different hardness and independence of thought. He was 11 years old when he realized that he could not agree with one of the Indian traditions. It has long existed in India caste untouchables - people doing the dirty work. They were forbidden to visit Hindu temples, to drink water from the same source with the caste Hindus. They had to wear a bell around his neck, a warning about their appearance. Untouchables passed from parents to children, and leave this class was impossible.

Like all Indian children, parents forbade Mohandas communicate with untouchable. Of course, I obeyed, but objected with a smile that untouchables is not sanctified by religion and can not be consecrated. I was very obedient child, but as far as allowing me to honor his parents, entered into an argument with them on this issue - recalled Gandhi. Many years later he was able to convince the Indians to abandon this cruel prejudice.

One of the strongest shocks of the early childhood was the Indian tradition of marriage - 13 years old Mohandas was married to a girl, the same age Kasturbay. Fortunately, the children love each other, and Kasturbay until his death was a friend and helper of her husband.

In 1888, Gandhi, on the advice of friends and relatives of the family decided to go to England to get a serious education and the legal profession. This decision caused an outcry elders of his caste. Religion must not leave India, in addition, the elders were convinced that Europe can not live without breaking the covenants of faith. Gandhi did not obey their demands. For this he was excommunicated from the caste and could no longer rely on her help and support.

In England, he felt very lonely, everything around it was a stranger. However, communicating with European culture has opened new horizons for him. He met with Buddhism, the New Testament was shocked and wanted to combine Hinduism with the teachings of the Buddha and Christ.

In 1891, having received the highest degree of lawyer, Gandhi returned to India. However, the hopes of relatives on his high position and solid income did not materialize. Honesty and responsibility Gandhi helped his career.

Soon, the young lawyer accepts the offer of Indian trading firm to conduct its business in South Africa. He is attracted by the opportunity to see a new country and gain experience.