The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
Religious Ferment explained
Gandhi describes his deep spiritual crisis and comparative study of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism while in South Africa.
What happens
Gandhi describes his deep spiritual crisis and comparative study of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism while in South Africa. He attends a Christian convention with Mr. Baker, engages in extensive correspondence with Raychandbhai and Edward Maitland, reads the Koran and Tolstoy's 'The Kingdom of God Is Within You', and ultimately concludes that he cannot accept Christianity as the perfect religion nor Hinduism as flawless, leading him to a more personal and critical exploration of faith.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Interfaith Dialogue
Gandhi's comparative study of Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism, his correspondence with Christian and Hindu mentors, and his attendance at a Christian convention highlight his deep engagement with multiple faiths.
Truth and Self-Experimentation
Gandhi's relentless questioning of religious doctrines and his refusal to accept any faith uncritically reflect his commitment to personal truth-seeking.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Engages in intense religious questioning, attends the Wellington Convention, corresponds with religious authorities, and studies various scriptures.
- Mr. A. W. Baker
Anxious about Gandhi's spiritual state, takes him to the Wellington Convention, and endures social inconveniences due to Gandhi's race.
- Abdulla Sheth
Encourages Gandhi to study Islam and discusses its beauty.
- Raychandbhai
Corresponds with Gandhi, advises patience and deeper study of Hinduism, and sends religious books.
- Mr. Coates
Provided books to Gandhi, though their influence paled compared to Tolstoy's work.
- Rev. Andrew Murray
Chairman of the Wellington Convention, a devout Christian leader whom Gandhi meets.
Key passages
“Thus if I could not accept Christianity either as a perfect, or the greatest religion, neither was I then convinced of Hinduism being such.”
Gandhi found himself unable to regard Christianity as the ultimate religion, but he was equally unconvinced of Hinduism's perfection.
Gandhi's balanced skepticism toward both Christianity and Hinduism during his religious quest.
“Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You overwhelmed me. It left an abiding impression on me.”
Tolstoy's book had a profound and lasting impact on Gandhi, surpassing all other religious texts he had read.
The transformative influence of Tolstoy's work on Gandhi's spiritual and philosophical development.