Some thoughts of Gandhi ji about Japan

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  • जापान के सम्बन्ध में गांधी जी के कुछ विचार

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Abstract

In this paper, an attempt is made to find some impressions about Japan by Indian freedom fighter and father of nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948). It was in England (1891- 93) that Gandhi ji was first exposed to Japan through the writings of Sir Edwin Arnold. As a young student, Gandhi ji was pleased to read about the culture and society of Japan. While in South Africa, he keenly observed a Japanese student’s self-respect and was moved by the instance. After he returned back permanently to India (1915-1948), Gandhi ji wrote and spoke extensively about positive aspects in Japanese societies for all Indians to recognize, inspire and adopt them for a holistic nation-building. Specifically, positive aspects such as cleanliness, patriotism, total literacy, love for one’s language, education for all, education in one’s language, hardworking nature, selfsacrifice for the nation etc. were stressed by Gandhi ji in his writings and lectures. Some Japanese also visited Gandhi ji at his Ashram in India. Rev. Nichidatsu Fujii visited Wardha Ashram in 1933. His impression on Gandhi ji and Gandhi ji’s impression on him and their mutual admiration have lasted very long. Gandhi ji even adopted his prayer ‘NAMU MYO HO RENGE KYO’ in his morning and evening prayers. Nichidatsu Fujii received his new name as ‘FUJI GURUJI’ given by Gandhi ji. Nichidatsu Fujii wrote his autobiography and discussed Gandhi ji’s nonviolence philosophy in his book named ‘My Non Violence: An Autobiography of a Japanese Buddhist’. In this article, some other aspects of India-Japan relations are also discussed. Gandhi ji severely criticized Japanese merchants as they exported cheap clothes to India which in return contributed to lose of jobs to Indian laborers and their exploitation.

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