Date of Award

5-1989

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Religious Studies

Supervisor

Graeme MacQueen

Language

English

Abstract

This thesis examines Gandhi's personal spiritual growth. It focuses on his growing understanding of the relationship between suffering and systemic violence. Personal spirituality is virtually identical with political life for Gandhi, and it is possible to look at the developing socio-political situation in India between the years 1915 and 1921 with an eye to understanding major spiritual changes in Gandhi's personal life. This thesis advances the idea that the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, a crime perpetrated against innocent Indian civilians, had a major impact on Gandhi's understanding of suffering and violence--particularly systemic violence. The Massacre amounted to a spiritual and hence political watershed in Gandhi's life.

McMaster University Library


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