Gandhi taught that each individual has talent, which they either acquire
or inherit. However, each person believes this talent is their own to do
with as he or she pleases.
Gandhi felt we do not own this talent, but rather are trustees of the talent. Thus, the talent must be shared for the good of society.
This means more than just giving away things, which is merely action out of pity. Activity out of compassion is different in it that it requires us to stop what we are doing and find out about another.
It requires us to find out why the situation exists and to aid in a way that helps that person use his or her talent to change the situation. This requires a sacrifice of time to get to know the person and to find ways together with them to solve the problem.
Mr. Arun Gandhi shared these and other lesson at the SGI-USA Santa Monica
Community Center in December 1998.
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
see listing in the resource section
or go to www.cbu.edu/gandhi
