“To me, in its largest sense, religion means self-realization or knowledge of self.”
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Probable attribution
This saying is widely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, but the attribution is not supported by a reliable primary source.
Likely origin: Attributed to Gandhi (his definition of religion as self-realization; cf. 'Ethical Religion' / Young India); plausibly genuine, exact dated citation not confirmed.
About this quote
This reframes the point of spiritual practice: not performing the outward forms but doing the harder inward work of watching your own motives, catching your evasions, and learning what actually moves you. On this view, the temple is your own conduct, examined without flinching.
When to use it
- Someone treats a daily sit not as a chore but as a way to watch how their own irritation rises and passes.
- A person keeps an honest journal to catch the real motives behind choices they'd rationalized.
- A seeker values a frank look at their own faults over any number of ceremonies attended.