NON-VIOLENCE/AHIMSA

AHIMSA (non-violence) is for Gandhi the basic law of our being. That is why it can be used as the most effective principle for social action, since it is in deep accord with the truth of man’s nature and corresponds to his innate desire for peace, justice, order, freedom, and personal dignity.

(GNV 35)

Violence is essentially wordless, and it can begin only where thought and rational communication have broken down. Any society which is geared for violent action is by that very fact systematically unreasonable and inarticulate.

(GNV 13)

Satyagraha is meaningless if it is not based on the awareness of profound inner contradiction in all societies based on force.

(GNV 15–6)

Buddhist “mindfulness,” far from being contemptuous of life, is extremely solicitious for all life.

(ZBA 93)

A religion which forbids the taking of any life without absolute necessity is hardly “life denying.”

(ZBA 15–16, italics Merton’s)

In order to be holy one must become free from the tyranny of the demands of sin, of lust, of anger, of pride, ambition, injustice, and the spirit of violence.

(IEW 78)

Non-cooperation with evil is a sacred duty.

(I-358, GNV 70)

“If you can avoid evil by suffering it yourself, do so.”

(GNV 23, quoting Erasmus)

The man in whom Tao

Acts without impediment

Harms no other being

By his actions

Yet he does not know himself

To be “kind,” to be “gentle.”

(WCZ 91)

The only way truly to “overcome” an enemy is to help him become other than an enemy.

(GNV 24)

The oppressed must be able to be free within himself, so that he may begin to gain strength to pity his oppressor. Without that capacity for pity, neither of them will be able to recognize the truth of their situation: a common relationship in a common complex of sins.

(GNV 23)

To punish and destroy the oppressor is merely to initiate a new cycle of violence and oppression. The only real liberation is that which liberates both the oppressor and the oppressed.”

(GNV 22, italics Merton’s)

Where there is ahimsa there is Truth and Truth is God. How He manifests Himself I cannot say. All I know is that He is all pervading and where He is all is well.

(II-151, GNV 47)

Paper Cranes

(The Hibakusha come to Gethsemani)

How can we tell a paper bird

Is stronger than a hawk

When it has no metal for talons?

It needs no power to kill

Because it is not hungry.

Wilder and wiser than eagles

It ranges round the world

Without enemies

And free of cravings.

The child’s hand

Folding these wings

Wins no wars and ends them all.

Thoughts of a child’s heart

Without care, without weapons!

So the child’s eye

Gives life to what it loves

Kind as the innocent sun

And lovelier than all dragons!

(CP 740)