Mahatma Gandhi and the Three Monkeys – a symbol of simplicity, morality and legacy
1. Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869–1948), known as Mahatma (“great soul”) and Bapu (“father”), was one of the most important leaders of the 20th century. He became a symbol of India’s independence struggle, as well as a spiritual teacher and philosopher.
His life was based on several pillars:
Ahimsa – the principle of non-violence in action, word, and thought,
Satyagraha – the “force of truth,” or peaceful resistance against injustice,
Simplicity – material minimalism, living in ashrams, manual work, weaving,
Social service – fighting poverty, caste divisions, and inequality.
On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by nationalist Nathuram Godse. He died on his way to a prayer meeting, which was part of his daily life.
2. Gandhi’s Three Monkeys Figurine
According to accounts, in 1933 Gandhi received a small porcelain figurine of the Three Monkeys from the Japanese monk Nichidatsu Fujii (founder of the Nipponzan-Myōhōji order, known for building Peace Pagodas).
From then on, the figurine became one of his personal symbols—alongside his glasses and simple sandals. Gandhi used it during his teachings as a visual summary of his philosophy.
⚠️ Disclaimer: the story of the gift from Nichidatsu Fujii appears in Indian press and literature, but there is no single museum document confirming this source. However, in India this version is most often considered the most probable.
3. Personal Belongings and Simplicity of Life
At the time of Gandhi’s death, his possessions were extremely modest. Among the items left behind were: two pairs of sandals, a prayer book, a diary, glasses, a spittoon, a letter opener, two cups, a spoon and a fork, and a porcelain figurine of the Three Monkeys. This testifies to a life in which material possessions were reduced to a minimum, and every object carried deep symbolic meaning.
4. Gandhi Memorial Museum – Sabarmati Ashram
The most important place of remembrance is the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, where Gandhi lived for many years. Since 1963, the Gandhi Memorial Museum (Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya), designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa, has been operating there.
The museum’s collection includes Gandhi’s personal belongings, among them miniature figurines of the Three Monkeys made of kaolin clay, which he also used as paperweights. These small, simple objects gained extraordinary significance as a visual summary of his philosophy.
At the entrance to Sabarmati Ashram, visitors are greeted by large statues of the Three Wise Monkeys, embodying the maxim:
“See no evil” – Mizaru,
“Hear no evil” – Kikazaru,
“Speak no evil” – Iwazaru.
These monumental sculptures are among the most recognizable features of the site and serve as a symbolic reminder of Gandhi’s legacy.
5. The Most Important Gandhi Museums in India
The memory of Mahatma Gandhi is preserved in many places, but five museums are considered the most important and symbolic:
Sabarmati Ashram – Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya (Ahmedabad, Gujarat) – founded in 1963. gandhiashramsabarmati.org
Gandhi Memorial Museum (Madurai, Tamil Nadu) – opened in 1959. gandhimmm.org
Gandhi Smriti (Birla House) (New Delhi) – converted into a museum after 1948. gandhismriti.gov.in
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya (Mumbai, Maharashtra) – Gandhi’s residence from 1917–1934. gandhi-manibhavan.org
Sevagram Ashram (Wardha, Maharashtra) – established in 1936, active during Gandhi’s lifetime, today a museum. sevagramashram.org.in
Each of these museums preserves unique memorabilia – from Gandhi’s personal belongings, through letters and manuscripts, to reconstructions of his simple living spaces.
6. The 2009 Auction
On March 5, 2009, an auction by Antiquorum in New York sparked international controversy. Gandhi’s glasses, sandals, a Zenith pocket watch, and a plate with a bowl were sold. The set reached a price of $1.8 million, and the winning bidder was Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya, who announced that he would return the memorabilia to India.
Important: the Three Monkeys figurine was not among the auctioned items. It remained in India and is now preserved in Gandhi museums, including Sabarmati Ashram.
7. Facts and Legends
Fact: Gandhi owned a Three Monkeys figurine and often used it.
Fact: it was listed among his personal belongings.
Fact: the 2009 auction did not include the figurine.
Legend / myth: the names “Bapu, Ketan, and Bandar” were said to have been given by Gandhi. In reality, this comes from Indian folklore and later interpretations – the original names are Japanese: Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru.
Legend / myth: Gandhi created the philosophy of the Three Monkeys – in fact, he adopted and popularized an existing Japanese symbol, giving it new, universal meaning.
8. The Three Monkeys as a Message
For Gandhi, the Three Monkeys were more than decoration. They were a practical teaching tool – a simple image showing how to live in harmony with ahimsa and truth.
“See no evil” – do not seek hostility or hatred.
“Hear no evil” – do not give in to violence or propaganda.
“Speak no evil” – refrain from harmful words.
To this day, “Gandhi’s Three Monkeys” remain one of the most recognizable symbols of India, alongside the spinning wheel (charkha).
9. Conclusion
The story of Gandhi and his Three Monkeys is a tale of merging ancient Japanese symbolism with the philosophy of the Indian leader. The figurine became his personal talisman and, at the same time, a universal symbol of morality and simplicity.
Not all details can be confirmed today – some accounts (such as the gift from Nichidatsu Fujii or the Indian names of the monkeys) remain part of traditional storytelling. Yet the fact is that Gandhi turned this small object into a global ethical message.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Three Monkeys – “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” – remain one of the most significant visual symbols of the 20th century and a lasting part of his spiritual legacy.
