Hinduism: Ahinsa (non-violence)

It is most often interpreted as meaning peace and reverence toward all sentient beings. Ahinsa is an important doctrine of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
Its first mention in Indian philosophy is found in the Hindu scriptures called the Upanishads, the oldest of which date to about 800 BCE.

Ahinsa was introduced to the West by the Mahatma Gandhi.(dubious assertion—see talk page) Inspired by his actions, Western civil rights movements, led by such people as Martin Luther King Jr. , engaged in non-violent protests.

The more recent popularity of yoga and meditation in the West has also served to introduce many westerners to ahinsa and other Indian philosophical concepts. Nonviolent Communication, developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg and practiced and taught around the world, is inspired by Gandhi's example.

Hinduism

Through non-violence, some Hindus have made world examples of how goals can be achieved through non-violent means. There are more vegetarians in Hinduism than any other religion because animals are considered sacred in Hinduism and hence, vegetarianism is a part of ahinsa. Even the animal that was being sacrificed in rituals was greatly honored. Ahimsa is a very important part of karma.











In Hinduism non-violence goes on to believe that a devotee of God should never give immoral advise or encourage immoral behavior. This is essental for the achievement of Moksha.


The hand with a wheel on the palm symbolizes the Jain Vow of Ahinsa, meaning non-violence. The word in the middle is "ahinsa." The wheel represents the dharmacakra, to halt the cycle of reincarnation through relentless pursuit of truth.

Compassion for all life, human and non-human, is central to Jainism. Human life is valued as a unique, rare opportunity to reach enlightenment; to kill any person, no matter what crime he may have committed, is considered unimaginably abhorrent. It is a religion that requires monks and laity, from all its sects and traditions, to be vegetarian. Some Indian regions, such as Gujarat, have been strongly influenced by Jains and often the majority of the local non-Jain population has also become vegetarian.




Mahatma Gandhi drew many of his concepts of truth, nobility and ethics from the Bhagavad Gita and his personal love of Lord Rama, an avatara of God in the Hindu faith. Gandhi's concept of life and ahinsa, which led to his concept of satyagraha, or peaceful protest, primarily stem from his association with Hindu and Jain philosophy.[citation needed]




Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.[citation needed]
Literally speaking, ahinsa means non-violence towards life but it has much higher meaning. It means that you may not offend anybody; you may not harbor uncharitable thought, even in connection with those whom you consider your enemies. To one who follows this doctrine, there are no enemies.

A man who believes in the efficacy of this doctrine finds in the ultimate stage, when he is about to reach the goal, the whole world at his feet. If you express your love—ahinsa—in such a manner that it impresses itself indelibly upon your so-called enemy, he must return that love.

This doctrine tells us that we may guard the honor of those under our charge by delivering our own lives into the hands of the man who would commit the sacrilege. And that requires far greater courage than delivering of blows


Ahinsa or non-injury, of course, implies non-killing. But, non-injury is not merely non-killing. In its comprehensive meaning, ahinsa or non-injury means entire abstinence from causing any pain or harm whatsoever to any living creature, either by thought, word, or deed. Non-injury requires a harmless mind, mouth, and hand.