Universal values

Underlining the importance of promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship among students from different ethnicities in all their diversity of religion, belief, culture and language, GIIS Tokyo called for an assembly on universal values of brotherhood.

The assembly began with one of the senior teachers, Ms. Sarbani narrating an excerpt from the Buddha’s life and his teachings. This was followed by a detailed presentation by students on ‘Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagavad Gita and Buddhism’. The students spoke on Mahatma Gandhi’s ideologies of Satyagraha and Ahimsa. Gandhi’s thoughts and values were guided by the teachings of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity; an amalgamation of all religious beliefs. The students delved deep into the teachings of Bhagwat Gita, which not only moulded Gandhi’s philosophy but also became a way of life for him. He drew no distinction between the essential teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism. “The Buddha had lived Hinduism in his own life and had taught Hinduism, not to take, but to give life.”

Taking note of the assembly, the students understood the importance of respect and understanding for religious and cultural diversity throughout the world, and the commitment contained therein to advance human welfare and encourage dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilizations and peoples, in order to promote international peace and security.

As a part of holistic development of each individual, The Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Universal Values (MGCUV) attempts at harmonizing thoughts and actions that would be ethical and universal, thus prepare a global citizen!