Cardinal Tauran also pointed to Mahatma Gandhi, who he described as “the Father of the Indian nation,” who is “respected and held in high regard by people of different generations around the world for his complete dedication to the service of humanity.”
“During the course of his struggle for freedom,” the cardinal reminded Hindus, “he realized that 'an eye for an eye, and soon the whole world is blind'. Throughout his life, he developed among others, the concept of 'Ahimsa' (non-violence).”
"He is a model for non-violence and he led by example to the point of laying down his life because of his refusal to engage in violence.”
"Non-violence is not merely a tactical maneuver but is the attitude of one who, as the Pope affirmed, 'is so convinced of God's love and power' that he is not afraid to tackle evil with the weapons of love and truth alone. Love of one's enemy is the revolution of love, a love that does not rely ultimately on human resources but is a gift of God,” the cardinal asserted.
Highlighting the fact that “[n]on-violence is encouraged by many other religions,” the Council for Inter-religious Dialogue president called on religious leaders “to uphold the truth found in our respective religions and to “foster non-violence among our followers and support it in their actions.”
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The cardinal closed his letter for Diwali with an appeal to Hindus to help Christians “do all we can to promote the sacredness of human life, the good of the poor and lowly in our midst and collaborate, through dialogue, to foster the dignity of the human person regardless of race or caste, creed or class.”
“As Hindus and Christians, especially in the present situation, let us be won over by love without reserve, with the conviction that non-violence is the only way to build a global society that is more compassionate, more just and more caring."