Ahimsa, one of the five vows of Jainism, is the heart of the religion. This strong belief in non-violence is aimed at the well being of all living creatures, not merely man. Jainism teaches its followers that inflicting pain or injury to any living thing is like inflicting pain to one's own self. The concept has evolved from experience. Violence begins as a thought and continues as a concept, then a deed. While characteristics of non-violence are found in every religion of the world, Jainism is the only religion having this principle as its main doctrine. Ahimsa forms the backbone of Jain philosophy and serves as basis for their ethical code. The meaning of Ahimsa goes much deeper than physical harm. It also includes violence of the mind, the speech and the body. It includes lying, desiring and evil toward others. It includes accidental violence, occupational violence, protective violence but most of all, intentional violence. As Matthews has stated, "The Jains, including laypeople as well as ascetics, hold that all forms of violence, including passions, keep the soul from attaining perfection." Those who are fanatic Jain believers have been known to go so far as to strain water so as not to kill any organisms, wear masks, so as not to breathe in insects, and to only eat fruits that have fallen off trees without having been picked. .
The justification for these practices is actually rooted in the Jain belief in the importance of the soul. Respect for life is respect for the soul. The soul is immortal and living things are the souls" physical forms in the present life. Ahimsa is the avoidance of physical harm to any of these living things. Because of this, Jains believe that all possible kindness should be given to all living things. .
A Hindu person's ahimsa vow may even be broken simply by feeling contempt for another being. If you practice ahimsa, you have to put up with insults, criticism and even assault. Ahimsa is the entire abstinence from causing any pain or harm. ... "Meaning of Ahimsa." Ahimsa. 1996. ...
In the religions of Jainism and Buddhism, the ethical outlooks of ahimsa (Jainism) and dharma (Buddhism) coincide and are used to reinforce religious doctrines. ... The basic definition of ahimsa is to not harm anything that is living. ... Avoid inflicting violence (ahimsa) on other life forms5. ... The First Great Vow instructs Jains to avoid violence, which in turn reinforces the outlook of ahimsa. ... The instructor violated the principle of ahimsa, by not limiting ones actions and engaging in speeding. ...
Hence, sacrifice is forbidden Ahimsa is the doctrine. ... This purity of soul consists of different main disciplines to achieve: Karma, Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekantwad. ... Ahimsa: Jainism explains that violence is not defined by actual harm for this may be unintentional. ...
Ahimsa is another basic value propagated by Hinduism. Ahimsa is love for every living soul, be it human or animal and not wishing or intending any of these souls harm. Ahimsa, in my opinion is greatly lacking in today's society. If there was indeed Ahimsa, then we would not be experiencing horrors such as the recent Bali bombing. One need not go as far as the bombing in Bali to see a lack of Ahimsa today. ...
* * * Ahimsa is the cornerstone in Gandhi's tactics, strategy and ethics. Ahimsa is generally translated to English as "non-violence". ... Thus the first layer of meaning to ahimsa involves a substantial portion of the Hindu belief system. ... To the world, he gave satyagraha and ahimsa, arguably the most revolutionary ideas of a long and ravaged century. ...
The decorated circular symbol in the middle bottom represents nonviolence; the word in the center is Ahimsa, which means non-violence. ... They also practice non-violence (ahimsa), because any act of violence against a living thing creates negative karma, which will adversely affect one's next life. ... These include the principles of: • Ahimsa - To protect all life (non-violence) • Satya - To speak truth • Asteya - To not steal • Brahmacharya - To not commit adultery • Aparigraha - To limit one's possessions Jains uphold these principles b...
The thought of punishing and hurting those that break the rules is different from ahimsa. According to ahimsa, man should not hurt anything nor get hurt and the world should be non-violent. The existence of a soul was a main part in Jainism and ahimsa. ...
The five great vows in Jainism which are to be practiced every minute of every day are: Ahimsa(non-violence), Satya(truthfulness), Asteya(non-stealing) , Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity), Aparigraha(Non-attachment/Non-possession). ... When the golden rule of a religion is Ahimsa or nonviolence in all parts of a person; mental, verbal, and physical how could you not want to be more like them. ...
