Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948) is well known as the leader of India’s nonviolent struggle for independence from the British Empire. What is less well known is the great variety of traditions that went into making up Gandhi’s philosophy. These traditions include the Vaiṣṇava Hindu tradition in which he was born and raised, as well as the Jain tradition, a prominent tradition of his native state of Gujarat, which had a profound impact on his worldview and his advocacy of ahiṃsā–non-violence in thought, word, and action–in all aspects of life. This course will explore the considerable impact of Jain thought and practice on Mohandas Gandhi, and the role of the Jain tradition in his path to becoming the Mahātma: the great soul who has inspired generations not only of Indians, but of people around the world who yearn for the nonviolent transformation of global society. Of particular interest will be the teachings of Gandhiji’s Jain guru, Sri Rajchandra Mehta (1867-1901).

Course Details

Learning Area

Jain Philosophy, History & Anthropology

Instructor

Jeffery Long, PhD

He has also spoken on ahiṃsā at the United Nations. Jeffrey is the author of several books, including 𝘏𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 and 𝘑𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮: 𝘈𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, and co-editor with Christopher Miller and Michael Reading for 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢, and with Michael Long for 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥’𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.