ABSTRACT
The examination of the place of Mohandas K. Gandhi in the history of Hindu–Christian relations is divided into three sections: “Gandhi’s encounters with and assimilations of Christianity,” “Gandhi’s thought on the prospects of Hindu–Christian relations,” and “Christian responses to Gandhi and his work.” Gandhi was raised by his Vishnu-worshipping parents in an atmosphere of religious pluralism and tolerance of other religions, with the exception of Christianity. In addition to disentangling Christianity from Western culture and imperialism, Hindu–Christian relations could also be improved, according to Gandhi, by Christians rejecting their typically condescending attitudes toward Hindus as heathen idolaters ignorant of God. Gandhi has made a significant impression upon Christians worldwide for two related reasons. First, his non-violent tactics have enabled Christian pacifists to praise him as an embodiment of Jesus’ virtuous pacifism. Second, that same nonviolence was adopted by prominent Christian activists in the fight against injustice.
