Karmapa’s message for Gandhi Jayanti
Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, shares the following message on the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday.
Dear dharma friends
On Gandhi Jayanti we celebrate the life of the Bodhisattva Gandhiji.
As Buddhists, we are always looking for examples in our lives. Gandhiji lived his life with a focus on basic human qualities, or what I call Inner Wealth. He showed great courage and loving kindness throughout his days, but it is his remarkable commitment to nonviolence that is perhaps most pertinent for us to reflect on today.
It takes great courage to continuously follow a nonviolent path, a path of understanding, a path of wisdom and compassion. This is why we need examples in our lives to bring us hope and inspiration. Gandhiji is such an example, for all of us in India and around the world.
From a Buddhist perspective, the original cause of all conflict lies in a lack of understanding. While violence breeds on ignorance, compassion flows from understanding. Today, on the International Day of Nonviolence, and Gandhiji’s birthday, may we all make an honest effort to understand ourselves and each other.
With compassion
Thaye Dorje
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
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