Essay on “Non-violence” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Non-violence

Non-violence is the law of our species as violence is the I N law of the brute–so spoke Mahatma Gandhi, celebrating the need and nature of the principle of non-violence for mankind. All wise men down the ages have preached the doctrine of love and non-violence. Zoroaster, Buddha, Mahavira, Christ, and Nanak primarily emphasised a moral code that gave due status to non-violence. Non-violence is a philosophy of life, a modus operandi which has been accepted as an article of faith in the East as well as in the West. But what does the word ‘non-violence’ mean in simple terms? To what extent can and should non-violence be exercised in daily life? And is it not true that the world today is in dire need of non-violence?

Non-violence has been variously interpreted by different people including philosophers and scholars. Generally, the term means ‘non-injury’ to others. It is a concept based on the fundamental goodness of man. In the fight for what is good and right—freedom, morality, justice and equality, violence must be avoided. All these are to be gained by avoiding use of physical force. One must avoid inflicting pain on others to win one’s a geed however true and justifiable it may be. Evil must be resisted in a calm manner and not through violence in thought or action. For almost always violence begets violence—and there will be no end to it. The path of non-violence calls for a great amount of fortitude on the part of the person practicing it to achieve the best of goals. It also calls for courage and a lot of self-sacrifice. Thus non-violence, as Gandhi said, is not the weapon of the coward but of the strong. But to what extreme can the principle of non-violence be extended?

Just like other benevolent principles, non-violence fails to make sense once you take it to an extreme. It is not possible for man to exist at all if he is to ensure that he does not harm or injure a single animal, plant or microorganism throughout his life. We breathe—and in the mere act of breathing we kill a number of germs and bacteria that cannot be seen by the naked eye. We walk—and the mere act of walking crushes innumerable small, microscopic organism that abound on the soil. Moreover, injury by itself need not be solely physical in nature; it can be emotional and mental as well. There are no standard and practical measures by which we can gauge the extent to which an act may cause mental and emotional norm.

Aggression between humans can be repulsed and checked by non-violence. But where the aggressor has no regard for the resulting destruction and bloodshed, total non-violence would only invite aggression. It must be remembered that even Gandhi, the modem profounder of the gospel of ‘non-violence’, allowed the use of violent weapons in the fight for right goals if there was a need.

Mahatma Gandhi is considered the apostle of non-violence. Truly, he expanded the concept so that non-violence as a principle, acquired a totally new meaning and dimension. For him the path of ahimsa or non-violence was the only way to achieve freedom while truth was the supreme reality for him. He exclaimed how ahimsa was an active force and not simply a term passive in its meaning. The fight through ahimsa was a legitimate struggle that demanded a lot of merit and virtue, on the part of its followers. Ahimsa for Gandhi was cowardice. Gandhi encouraged the use of ahimsa so that its practice on an individual level might finally enhance its significance for the nation as a whole—for only individuals constitute a nation. The effectiveness of the message of non-violence preached by Gandhi can be gauged from responses all over the globe—we have self-professed students of the Mahatma in leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi and Nelson Mandela.

In the modern times, it is violence that has emerged as one of the most common causes of human suffering. The pursuit of material benefits has resulted in growing conflicts between individuals, groups and nations. New forms of violence have thus emerged. Highly sophisticated and lethal chemical and nuclear weapons have opened up ways to inflict maximum of destruction and damage. In fact, one ought to blame the modern ways of living for the violent tendencies that have taken strong roots in man. There is loss of patience, perseverance, true courage, dedication and absolutely no sense of values at all. Man today is lost; and wondering souls can be easily misled in the name of anything. Violence has grown to such an extent today that it has almost acquired some kind of legitimacy. One fears that the growing violent attitude will ultimately wipe out mankind as a whole.

Tie world is desperately in need of non-violence as a way of life, to spread the gospel of love, brotherhood and peace. Man must awake and realise that the world of violence in which he is living can blow up on his face at any time. Before time runs out, man must realise the folly of indulging in violence and give it up. Only the path of non-violence can truly provide mankind release’ from all ills and bring about harmony in the world. Only non-violence can restore sanity around us.