Today is the 140th birth anniversary of Mohandas Gandhi, an extraordinary Hindu, statesman and consummate model of non-violent resistance to injustice. Respect for his practical spirituality prompted others to call Gandhi “Mahatma” (great soul). Gandhi’s practice of intentional non-violence greatly influenced the American civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Christ gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics.”

Although he was not a Christian, Gandhi was very familiar with the story and sayings of Jesus, such as these words from the Sermon on the Mount:

You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42)

Gandhi admired and studied the words of Christ, but noticed a discrepancy between the behavior of Jesus and the behavior of those who call themselves Christians. He once said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

He needled those who assumed that Europe and America were culturally superior, quipping: “What do I think of Western civilization? I think it would be a very good idea.” Having studied law in England and having lived in South Africa for 21 years, Gandhi experienced different cultures, and said, “I do not wish my house to be walled on all sides and my windows stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible.”

Among Gandhi’s other quotable quotes are:

“I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.”

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness.”

“It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

“There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.”

“We must become the change we want to see in the world.”

Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 by a fellow Hindu who disagreed with Gandhi’s open and tolerant stance toward all other faith traditions.