Is Gandhi a Vedantist?

Abstract

There is a strong tendency among many scholars to claim that true Hinduism is Vedanta and its highest form is Advaita. Many scholars claim that Gandhi is a Hindu Vedantist and especially an Advaitin. Gandhi does identify with Advaita Vedanta, but also with Hindu and other approaches that reject nondualistic Vedanta. The proposed answer to the question of whether Gandhi is a Vedantist is a qualified yes and a qualified no. Gandhi's philosophy and practice cannot be understood without recognizing the essential contributions of Advaita. However, Gandhi is not a traditional Advaitin and, in many respects, he is not a traditional Hindu. He embraces many presuppositions, values, principles, and practices that are radical critiques of traditional Vedanta and Hinduism. Is Gandhi’s approach to Vedanta hopelessly muddle-headed, uncritical, and incoherent or is he challenging us to rethink traditional religious, ethical, and philosophical positions of greatest significance today?