'Hind Swaraj' Reading
(August 19-22, 2002. Dharamshala)
Participants with Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and Rajiv Vora
The first 'Hind Swaraj Reading' in Dharamsala by
Rajiv Vora (Gandhi Peace Foundation) was organised by the
'Friends of Tibet (INDIA)' in association with Hind Swaraj Centenary Celebration
launched by 'Swarajpeeth' from August 19-22, 2002 at the Lhakpa
Tsering Memorial Hall. During this special occasion,
Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and Dr Ramu Manivannan (Friends of Tibet INDIA)
spoke on the significance and the importance of 'Hind Swaraj' text
to a gathering of 20 Tibetans relating it to the Tibetan context.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
About 'Hind Swaraj':
'Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule' is a text written by Mahatma Gandhi
in 1909. It was first appeared in 'Indian Opinion,'
a newspaper founded and edited by Gandhiji from South Africa and later
published as a book. Occasionally banned in India by the British,
'Hind Swaraj' is a book less than 100 pages long, and comprised of 20
short chapters, which sparked off the Indian Nationalist Movement.
Rajiv Vora, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and Dr Ramu Manivannan
Rajiv Vora on 'Why Hind Swaraj':
To the fiery, dynamic and militant (Tibetans) freedom fighters,
non-violence often means inactivity. And it is always those who
have fire within them uphold the struggle for freedom at the cost
of suffering and sacrifice, and thus also inspire others. It is a
function of non-violence to bring this fire in the service of all
the seekers of freedom and not only in a service of a few.
I have witnessed Rev Prof Samdhong Rinpoche trying consistently and
patiently to wash this charge of inactivity off Non-violence.
In our dialogues with Tibetan activists we have faced such questions too,
and it is here that 'Hind Swaraj' comes to our aid. Non-violence
comes out as a higher level of activity demanding greater fire and
militancy. It is through teachings in Non-violence for Freedom as
explained in 'Hind Swaraj' that the declining or sagging support
for Non-violence could be revived. This is generally true of any,
and so it may be for the Tibetans too.
Non-violence as a weapon wielded by a few has a greater power than
violence wielded by a bigger number. Even from a pragmatic point
of view, if not from normative, religious or spiritual point of
view, the incomparably small number of Tibetans can prove heavier
and superior to the big might of their adversary if they wield
non-violence as their weapon. The dynamism seeking Tibetan youth
and freedom fighters need to see their limitations and constraints
(being many fold out-numbered by the Chinese) being offset by that
which is not dependent on numbers for its strength and power.
Non-violence exercised by a seeker of Swaraj achieves this.
The ideal of Swaraj empowers (wielder of) non-violence in the manner
similar to motherly love putting all the strength in the body of a
frail looking woman. 'Hind Swaraj' gives 'freedom' highest goal and
meaning. If rightly conveyed and understood, the goal of freedom
is the essence of true self honour. One fights for honour, always; —
for, honour of the spirit is the essential self identity.
The quest for honour, i.e. freedom of the spirit, freedom of the inner
light and freedom of the true Self is realised in what is known as
Swaraj — Rangwang.
'Hind Swaraj' fires this quest. Once this quest is fired, the
question pertaining to the choice of means becomes a moot point —
it is resolved automatically in favour of non-violence. It becomes
clear like the daylight that the very 'end' in itself has determined
the means, for there is no duality between the two.
Freedom defined in term of Swaraj resolves the question of means
for attaining it. Therefore we purpose to have workshops on 'Hind Swaraj'.
Mahatma Gandhi's notes on 'Hind Swaraj' (January 1921)
Prof Samdhong Rinpoche's Speech (August 19, 2002)
While Reading The Sacred Text
'Hind Swaraj Reading' by Rajiv Vora (Gandhi Peace Foundation)
was organised by the 'Friends of Tibet (INDIA)'
in Dharamsala
from August 19-22, 2002,
to coincide with Hind Swaraj Centenary Celebration launched by 'Swarajpeeth'.
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