Gandhi and Nonviolence

Gandhi’s Goal of reaching Nonviolence

Gandhi maintained certain practices that were considered essential Satyagraha practices, which he believed would bring nonviolence to the world. He named this power Satyagraha which means “reality force or holding onto truth.” Gandhi had said, “ The Truth is far more powerful than any weapon of mass destruction.” In the clear view of violence, Gandhi had come the realization that nonviolence was greater to violence itself. Gandhi believed in eleven practices that would help maintain the world in the aspect of having nonviolence throughout it. For Gandhi, ahimsa (nonviolence) was a fundamental part of his teachings, and he believed nonviolence gave a pronounced moral power to its followers. Gandhi became a guiding force behind a strong nationalist movement that encouraged independence from Great Britain, but without using force or any acts of violence. One of Gandhi’s practices was to fast, and he did this because he believed it would put an end to conflict and neglect that him and his people were enduring. During his campaigns he would fast in the hopes of making a statement and to put an end to the mistreatment of his people. Gandhi would simply stop eating until someone gave in at the point of the issue. Gandhi believe with his fasting it would encourage his followers to put more pressure on the British, and the outcome will show his triumph of him and his followers. Another practice that Gandhi introduced was the use of the spinning wheel in his village in India. He believed that spinning his own clothes would bring him self-sufficiency and prepare for forthcoming self-government. Gandhi and his people would own their own cotton and begin to weave it themselves so the British cloth would become not needed in their lives. Gandhi also believed in no harm to humans, but also no harm in animals. As a child Gandhi did eat meat, but later on in his life he preformed one of his practices of vegetarianism. Gandhi knew that