Marching with Vinoba

Did you know of the strange thing that happened in India after Gandhiji was killed--a movement was begun which begged land from landlords and wealthy owners, for giving to those who had little or none. It was led by one of Gandhi's followers. His name was Vinoba Bhave. He acted like a missionary, going on foot over miles and miles to persuade people to donate their land to the landless. This was called by the name "Bhu-Dan", (bhu = land, dan = gift) Sometimes he was alone, and at other times a group of helpers and sympathizers accompanied him. Vinoba was very austere (do you know what it means?) It means he slept on a plank, dressed in plainest cloth, ate the smallest he could manage on-and that, the commonest of food. He had practically no possessions. And he was sworn to non-violence. So he set the example of the "giving up" that he was asking of others.
A European writer who called himself Shantidas (servant of peace), who was also a Gandhian, made himself a "brother" to Vinoba and went along with him and his group for quite a while. He wrote a book about it. Let us hear some of what he tells:

One man, getting in the mood, comes along with a hundred acres. "See," he says proudly, "I am giving them, and maybe you can use me too."
"Wonderful," says Vinoba. "But does your wife agree?"
"Yes." "And have you any children?"
The man says he has four. Then says Vinoba, "You must not give so much; I will take one fifth: the rest is for your children. Do you see? I give more than I take."
Like that, this good-humored saint marched across large parts of the country, arranging for the landless and land-poor to take over for themselves the donated acres.
Another man, who has given a great deal of land, comes to complain that he has received no recognition or publicity; he is angry and threatens to take his property back. Vinoba has already taken care of that: "I am sorry," he says, "it is legally impossible to give back what's been donated." He turns to his followers: "Just see, my children, how a person can lose what he has given? Sir, I am very sorry for you."
"Glory," he says, "is like Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. Kings bow down before her, pressing forward their wealth to receive her favor. But she carries the garland to Vishnu, sleeping on the lotus in the middle of the ocean. She is at his feet as if she were a slave. Why? Because he has no interest in her, no greed, no attachment to wealth or luxury."

Next day there comes an Indian Communist. He has a pitch to make.
"You have a fine ideal," he tells Vinoba, "but big changes in society can never be made without military action, without violence. This meek way of going about things can do nothing."
"Tell me, friend, says the saint, "When you became a Communist, was there not a great change in your life?" "Oh yes; everything changed for me on that day."
"But did you do it of your own free will, or did someone with a gun force or threaten you to be a Communist?"
"Of course not. I read Karl Marx, felt that he was writing truth, and that was that."
"Then," Vinoba replies, "why do you think it is impossible to get from others what Marx got from you?"
This day we come upon a man who last year was carrying the Dan-money to a collection place, when he was attacked by thieves. His very life had been in danger. He somehow made them listen to him. "What are you doing?" he asked, "I am one of Vinoba's men. The money you are stealing is not mine; it belongs to the poor who will get the gift of land of their own. You are committing a great sin."
This had bothered the conscience of those robbers, hearing Vinoba's name. They took the man to the river, bathed and bandaged the wounds they had made, and restored to him the bags of money.

Shantidas, our pilgrim, sums up his Bhu-Dan travels as follows:
"In the West, our problems are different. Famine does not threaten us, but war is always on the horizon. Leprosy does not show itself in the streets of our towns, but greed and anxiety are gnawing at the hearts of men. We become de-humanized by the machines and organizations we create. Vinoba is a burning fire and a lighted lamp We show our faith, our religion, best by practicing and applying it, not by shouting how it is the best!"