ABSTRACT
In his autobiography, Mahatma K. Gandhi claimed that the reading of Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is within You converted him from violence to nonviolence. In order to provoke caste Hindus into a genuine soul searching and a possible change of heart, Gandhi committed to his fast unto death and was ready to die for this cause. The Sermon on the Mount became Gandhi's favorite text too, and like Leo Tolstoy, Gandhi was greatly puzzled how many Christians praise its precepts as noble and inspiring, and yet how few live by them. In India, South Africa, or England, Gandhi could clearly recognize a widespread vulgar glorification of power and wealth. A wealthy person is admired regardless of how the wealth is gained and for what it is used. Pleasure is sought after, without worrying about of what kind it is and at what price it is obtained.
