“What we are doing to the forests of the world is a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and one another. Non—violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
Saturday, 2nd October, was celebrated as the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. That day, millions will recall the achievements of a man whose tool for change was non-violence.
Our narrow conception of Ahimsa, or non-violence, is something like “politically employed pacifism” in the West. We think of Gandhi’s acts for India’s independence. Ahimsa, though, is a far older and wide-ranging concept.
Originating in ancient India, Ahimsa, a Sanskrit word ‘अहिंसा’, meaning ‘the negation of harm’, is a way of acting that brings out the best of all living things. Not a passive action (like abstaining from throwing a punch), but a general attitude to celebrate and promote all life. By doing nothing, we may still act violently towards the living. Ahimsa grows from a dignified and courageous love and compassion for life. Thus, we see, Ahimsa’s reach extends beyond people… beyond animals… to the broader world.
To commemorate Gandhi Jayanti and the importance of Ahimsa, sustainability, and environmental consciousness, Go Dharmic hosted a charity event at their Good Karma charity stores. At these stores, buyers pay what they can for clothes and furniture. KCL’s Hindu society participated in modeling, and over 100 people attended the event.
Founded by Hanuman Dass, Go Dharmic operates globally as a registered charity with the Charity Commission of England and Wales, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, and India and the USA. Inspired by Ahimsa, Go Dharmic advocates going-plant based, reducing food waste, shifting to clean energy, and distributing food. These changes will celebrate the good of all beautiful living things – people, animals, and the environment.
These events will bring together policymakers, civil society leaders, faith-based organisations, and the private sector. Together these groups will discuss the theory and practical application of Ahimsa in addressing the environmental crisis and our social needs.
To know more:
Ahimsa and The Environment: Making Peace with Environment
When: 31st October 2021
Time: 10 AM GMT, 3.30 PM IST onwards
Register here: https://bit.ly/3DfYzoQ
To know more about the Good Karma Store initiative, visit: https://goodkarma.godharmic.com/
