Monkeys of the Mahatma

 We are quite familiar with the three monkeys who teach us the maxim of “See no evil, Hear no evil, and Speak no evil”. Mahatma Gandhi had popularized this monkey-trio in India. He spread the message by living a life that was embodiment of these noble principles.

It is believed that this statue of three monkeys was gifted to Gandhiji by a group of Chinese visitors who came to meet him at the Santhi Niketan. This small statue made of china clay marks an exception to the principle of non-possession of the Mahatma.

The roots of the philosophy of these monkeys lay in the ancient Sino-Japanese tradition. Great Chinese philosopher Confucius once stated “Look not, listen not and speak not to what is contrary to propriety”. This concept was introduced into Japan by a Buddhist monk in 7^th century A.D. Original teaching of Confucius had nothing to do with monkeys. To illustrate these three principles three monkeys were used in Japan. This monkey-representation was attributed to Hidari Jingoro, an ancient Japanese artist, master-craftsman, and sculptor. He was believed to be a legendary character with superhuman artistic talents.

The oldest and the most famous wooden carving of these monkeys can be seen in the Toshogu Shrine in the city of Nikko in Japan. Toshogu shrine is a Shinto Shrine where Tokugawa Leyasu, the founder of the Shokugawa Shogunate (a feudal military government, which ruled Japan for over 250 years) is enshrined as a deity.

Shinto is the ancient religion in Japan like the Hinduism in India. The Toshogu shrine was built in the year 1617 during the Edo period and at present it is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The carving of the three monkeys appears in the stable of sacred horses of the shrine. The monkeys are called Mizaru (who sees no evil), Kikazaru (who hears no evil) and Iwazaru (who speaks no evil). According to tradition Hidari Jingoro did the breathtakingly beautiful carvings of the “Three Monkeys”, and all other wooden carvings in the shrine, including the most famous “Sleeping Cat”.  Both these carvings are now celebrated as “National Treasures of Japan”.

                                                       (Photographs by the author)

Fourth Monkey

There is a belief that in the original Chinese tradition there used to be a “fourth monkey” also. In Japan the fourth monkey is known as “shizaru”. This representation of a fourth monkey is not commonly seen now. The fourth monkey was missing even on Gandhiji’s table.

In China there is a fourth monkey that stands for “not doing evil”. The Japanese Shizaru is illustrated as covering its genitals with both hands. In a way, I find this most appropriate since deviations in sex seem to be the root cause of many problems. I may sound as though I am endorsing the Freudian theory. I am not.

Gandhi himself confided that the most difficult battle to fight throughout his life was to overcome his own demons, fears and insecurities. I try to understand these words of confession in relation to what he had written about sex.

Gandhiji wrote in the journal “Harijan” on March 28, 1936: “Sex urge is a fine and noble thing. There is nothing to be ashamed of it.  But it is meant only for the act of creation. Any other use of it is a sin against God and humanity”

I do not want to comment on the above words of Mahatmaji. But I strongly believe that, in today’s India, where the sex related crime against women has increased to an alarming level, there is a real need for Shizaru, the fourth monkey.