Hind Swaraj Centenary Celebration

Samdhong Repoche's Letter

I wish to draw your kind attention to a matter of great significance today.

I had read long back Albert Einstein's tribute to Mahatma Gandhi: "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one in flesh and blood ever walked on this earth". I was hardly surprised then by these words. However, as we witness the world passing through so-called modernism and post-modernism, the willing acquiescence of nations all over the world to a blind pursuit of self-destruction, rising scales of heartless violence and hedonistic materialism,-the truth of Einstein's words stares in our eyes. One cannot look at Mahatma Gandhi's life without disbelief.

So profound and comprehensive is the purity, influence and vastness of Mahatma Gandhi's spiritual, moral, cultural, political, and educational work that it is hard to believe that so much, on such an all-inclusive and extensive plane was accomplished by a single individual in one life. The vastness of his written works is so unique that one would wonder if he did nothing but only write from birth until death. Every word of his written works carries profound meaning of a sincere quest after truth, spirituality, and morality in private, public and corporate life. Even his personal letters, besides enquiring about personal matters and personal welfare of the people concerned also reflect serious insight into issues concerning social, public and national life.

At the foundation of all the spiritual and philosophical works everywhere in the world, there is always a root text, a thesis. Rest of all works, literature and even scriptures is only an extension or interpretation of that fundamental text. I am not aware if anything as root-text or as comprehensive Gandhian thesis has ever been determined from within the total corpus of Gandhiji's works, In my humble opinion, it would not be inappropriate to consider 'Hind Swaraj' as the comprehensive root-text or thesis of Mahatma Gandhi's thought. In the text of 'Hind Swaraj' we have Mahatma Gandhi's thought in a most precise, comprehensive, and condensed from. In this small book the core issues concerning truth, Civilization, Swaraj and Satyagraha are defined and analyzed in a simple language. It is in Hind Swaraj that the symbiotic connections among all our private and corporate economic, political, cultural and spiritual dimensions of life are found in profound vision and philosophy of moral order of life. Hind Swaraj states, in major parts of it, perennial truth. Its relevance is universal, for all times and all people. If we can properly grasp the meaning and the motive of its national, and global problems. In an era when the globalization of blind materialism has proven its destructive propensity, the key to real peace, harmony and prosperity lies in Gandhi's concept of Swaraj. The study and deeper contemplation on Hind Swaraj is essential to salvage humanity.

2009 is the Centenary year of 'Hind Swaraj'. In order to celebrate it in an appropriate manner, we must begin now. Hind Swaraj Centenary Celebration does not call for pomp and show. All those organizations, families and individuals who have faith in truth and nonviolence must engage themselves in the study of Hind Swaraj besides taking it to the various sections of society and to educational institutions including schools, Colleges, and universities; organize study-sessions, seminars, study-comps and study-groups so that Hind Swaraj-the true message of deliverance from all from of violence, is brought back into national and international discourse.

We must give a deeper thought to Hind Swaraj irrespective of one's agreement with Gandhiji's thought. Those who are in disagreement should present their views and purpose with reasoned argument; and those who are in agreement should endeavour to put his principles in practice.

If my submission has an appeal to you, do collaborate and participate by initiating programmes for the study and propagation of Hind Swaraj. For the next five years, let those who are in agreement with Mahatma's thought introduce Hind Swaraj to at least six persons who are not familiar with the work and make the book available to them. By doing so, that is by arousing what Gandhiji calls "desirable sentiments" among people we can fulfill our national and universal duty. This is only an humble suggestion.

One can also independently plan and execute appropriate activities for the celebration of Hind Swaraj Centenary at individual and organizational level. However, if you wish to inform me and/or wish to participate, you have below mine as well as Hind Swaraj Centenary Celebration Committee's address.

I will be most grateful for your cooperation.

With regards

Samdhong Rinpoche
Chairman
Hind Swaraj Centenary Celebration Committee

Hind Swaraj Centenary Celebration Committee