In the movie "Gandhi", Gandhi's idea of Hinduism is centered mostly on sacrifice and nonviolence. Sacrifice and nonviolence can both be shown in one key example in the film. When India achieves independence, the Muslims want to secede from the majority Hindus, to create a majority Muslim state. However, this troubled Gandhi as he wanted a independent, yet single India. Although Gandhi agreed, with the Muslims, to allow a separation of Muslims and Hindus, with Muslims going to a new state called Pakistan, and Hindus going to the new India. Soon, religious violence soon began as tensions between Muslims and Hindus took a disastrous turn. This can be accentuated as a sort of ethnic cleansing in India. Gandhi, even further distressed with the recent events, vowed to fast until both Muslims and Hindus stopped rioting. This aspect shows both sacrifice, in that he would allow his body to suffer to help stop the fighting, and nonviolence, in that he wanted the Muslims and Hindus to stop fighting and become peaceful neighbors. Another example of sacrifice and nonviolence is represented early in the movie. When Gandhi attempts to burn his pass to protest against the pass laws. Even though white police men threaten to beat anyone who tries to burn his or her pass, Gandhi continues to burn passes. Gandhi is then struck down by the police, but does not strike back. This example shows that Gandhi was willing to sacrifice himself to reach his goal, but was not willing to use violence.
I chose the quote, "A man is but the product of his thought. What he thinks; he becomes." I believe this truly exemplifies how Gandhi lived his life and expressed his faith. According to the quote, a person is exactly what he or she believes in. I believe this is true for Gandhi because, as I have said before, he believed in nonviolence and he was known especially for standing for nonviolent throughout his entire life. Examples throughout the movie show that Gandhi became what he believed in. Whenever people fought, such as the Muslims and Hindus, he fasted or whenever someone beat him, he did not strike back. I believe these virtues are inspired by his Hindu beliefs. As one of the key principles of Hinduism is polytheism. This means that there is a being, or 'spirit', in all things. Therefore, hurting anyone or anything would be detrimental, thus creating a nonviolent attitude. This is why I believe this quote truly represents Gandhi's life.
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