Ahimsa (Devanagari: अहिंसा; IAST ahiṃsā) is a Sanskrit term meaning non-violence (literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa). It is an important part of Buddhism, Hinduism, and especially Jainism appearing within the Hindu scriptures called the Upanishads^[1], the oldest of which date to about 800 BCE. The concept is detailed in the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas, as well as Jain and Buddhist texts. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Rigveda manuscript in Devanagari (early 19th century) DevanāgarÄ« (देवनागरी — in English pronounced ) (ISCII – IS13194:1991) [1] is an abugida alphabet used to write several Indian languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Bihari, Bhili, Konkani, Bhojpuri and Nepali from Nepal. ... IAST, or International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration is the academic standard for writing the Sanskrit language with the Latin alphabet and very similar to National Library at Calcutta romanization standard being used with many Indic scripts. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is a classical language of India, a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... Nonviolence (or non-violence) is a set of assumptions about morality, power and conflict that leads its proponents to reject the use of violence in efforts to attain social or political goals. ... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages) is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Jain and Jaina redirect here. ... Hindu scripture, which is known as Shastra is predominantly written in Sanskrit. ... The Upanishads (उपनिषद्, Upanişad) are part of the Hindu Shruti scriptures which primarily discuss meditation and philosophy and are seen as religious instructions by most schools of Hinduism. ... Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ... Purana (Sanskrit: , meaning tales of ancient times) is the name of an ancient Indian genre (or a group of related genres) of Hindu or Jain literature (as distinct from oral tradition). ... There are a great variety of Buddhist texts. ...

In its Eastern form the principle of ahimsa was significantly promoted in the West by Mahatma Gandhi, whose non-violent resistance movement, satyagraha, influenced various civil rights movements led by others, such as Martin Luther King Jr. The term Western world, the West or the Occident (Latin occidens -sunset, -west, as distinct from the Orient) [1] can have multiple meanings dependent on its context (e. ... Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Gujarati: , Hindi: , IAST: mohandās karamcand gāndhī, IPA: ) (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948), was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. ... Mohandas Karamchand “Mahatma” Gandhi, who developed Satyagraha Satyagraha (Sanskrit: सत्याग्रह satyāgraha) is a variety of nonviolent resistance developed by Mohandas Gandhi. ... Civil rights or positive rights are those legal rights retained by citizens and protected by the government. ... Martin Luther King, Jr. ...

In Hinduism

Ahinsa is one of the central tenets of Hinduism, which is applied to all living beings who are believed to be of the same essential quality (atman). The main schools of Hinduism do not substantially differentiate the soul within a human body with that of an animal.^[2] Vegetarian diet is often promoted within Hinduism based on this belief of non-violence. Some Jains take their diet to the extreme and do not eat anything which grows primarily under the ground such as carrots, beats, or potatoes. The reason for this is so even the small creatures like the worms and such under the ground will have something to eat. Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages) is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Atman may refer to a concept in Hindu and Buddhist traditions: Atman (Hinduism) Atman (Buddhism) See also Anatta (anatman) This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... For animals adapted to eat primarily plants, sometimes referred to as vegetarian animals, see Herbivore. ...

Scripture

"This is the sum of duty: do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you." (Mahabharata 5, 15, 17) For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ...

"One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire." (Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, 113.8) For the film by Peter Brook, see The Mahabharata (1989 film). ...

"What is religion? Compassion for all things, which have life." (Hitopadesa, Sanskrit fables) Hitopadesa is similar to the Panchatantra, but an independent collection of stories. ...

"When one is established in non-injury, beings give up their mutual animosity in his presence." (Yoga Sutras) This article is in need of attention. ...

"To be free of violence is the duty of every man. No thought of revenge, hatred or ill will should arise in our minds. Injuring others gives rise to hatred." (Swami Sivananda) Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1887-1963), as he is known under his monastic name, was born Kuppuswamy in Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu, India. ...

Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi drew many of his beliefs about truth, nobility and ethics from the Bhagavad Gita and his personal love of Lord Rama, an avatar of Vishnu in the Hindu faith. Gandhi's dual conceptions of life and ahin Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Gujarati: , Hindi: , IAST: mohandās karamcand gāndhÄ«, IPA: ) (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948), was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. ... Bhagavad Gīta भगवद्गीता, composed ca the fifth - second centuries BC, is part of the epic poem Mahabharata, located in the Bhisma-Parva chapters 23–40. ... Rama ( in IAST, in DevanāgarÄ«) or Ramachandra is a legendary or historical king of ancient India. ... The ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, copyright BBT In Hindu philosophy, an avatar, avatara or avataram (Sanskrit: , IAST: ), most commonly refers to the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of a higher being (deva), or the Supreme Being (God) onto planet Earth. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being or Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavas and a manifestation of Brahman in the Advaita or Smarta traditions. ... A Hindu ( , Devanagari: हिन्दु), as per modern definition, is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, and the religious, philosophical and cultural system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ...

Headline text

sa, led to his development of satyagraha, which stems primarily from his association with Hindu and Jain philosophy.^[3] Mohandas Karamchand “Mahatma” Gandhi, who developed Satyagraha Satyagraha (Sanskrit: सत्याग्रह satyāgraha) is a variety of nonviolent resistance developed by Mohandas Gandhi. ... A Hindu ( , Devanagari: हिन्दु), as per modern definition, is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, and the religious, philosophical and cultural system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... JAIN is an activity within the Java Community Process, developing APIs for the creation of telephony (voice and data) services. ...

Quotations from Gandhi

Doctrine, from Latin doctrina, (compare doctor), means a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system. ... Doctrine, from Latin doctrina, (compare doctor), means a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system. ...

Jainism

The hand with a wheel on the palm symbolizes the Jain Vow of Ahimsa, meaning non-violence. The word in the middle is "ahimsa." 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, or for that matter any living being, 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.^[4] This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... Nonviolence (or non-violence) can be both a political strategy or moral philosophy that rejects the use of violence in efforts to attain social or political change. ... The Dharmacakra (Sanskrit) or Dhammacakka (Pāli), Tibetan , Chinese fălún 法轮, Wheel of Dharma is an auspicious Buddhist symbol representing a Buddhas teaching of the path to enlightenment. ... A common dictionary definition of truth is agreement with fact or reality.[1] There is no single definition of truth about which the majority of philosophers agree. ... Jain and Jaina redirect here. ... , Gujarat (Gujarati: , IPA:  ) is a state in the Republic of India. ...

The ancient jain text, Achanranga Sutra is the source of the following declaration on ahimsa :

I so pronounce that all the omniscients of all times, state, speak, propagate,and elaborate that nothing which breathes, which exists, which lives, or which has essence or potential of life, should be destroyed or ruled over, or subjugated, or harmed, or denied of its essence or potential.

This truth, propagated by the self-knowing omniscients, after understanding all there is in universe, is pure, undefileable, and eternal.

In support of this Truth, I ask you a question - "Is sorrow or pain desirable to you ?" If you say "yes it is", it would be a lie. If you say, "No, It is not" you will be expressing the truth. What I want to add to the truth expressed by you is that, as sorrow or pain is not desirable to you, so it is to all which breath, exist, live or have any essence of life. To you and all, it is undesirable, and painful, and repugnant.

That which you consider worth destroying is (like) yourself.

That which you consider worth disciplining is (like) yourself.

That which you consider worth subjugating is (like) yourself.

That which you consider worth killing is (like) yourself.

The result of actions by you has to be borne by you, so do not destroy anything.^[5]

According to Jain tenets, violence depends mainly on intention or design. Violence is not merely killing. Intention or thought of violence is also violence.^[6] This is evident from the following quotes of Samansuttam :

It is said by Lord Jina that absence of attachment etc. is ahimsa (non-violence) while their presence is himsa (violence). (153)

Even an intention of killing is the cause of the bondage of Karma, whether you actually kill or not; from the real point of view, this is the nature of the bondage of Karma. (154)

Non-Profit Organization

AHIMSA is also the acronym for the Association of Humanitarian Information and Mobilisation for the Survival of Animals, or in French, "Association Humanitaire d'Information et de Mobilisation pour la Survie des Animaux". Based in Quebec, Canada, AHIMSA is a non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1987.^[7] The Association aims to defend, promote and support the interests, the needs and the rights of animals. AHIMSA informs and encourages peaceful behavior toward animals and nature. Here, AHIMSA, in name and purpose meshes well with the word's native definition.

References

1. ^ Radhakrishnan, S (1929). Indian Philosophy, Volume 1, 2nd edition, Muirhead library of philosophy, London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd., 148. 
2. ^ Bhagavad Gita 5.18 "The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste]"
3. ^ Gandhi's Religious Thought: by Margaret Chatterjee, (Macmillan,1983) The book brings out the deep and pervading impact of Jainism and ahinsa in the making of the Mahatma.
4. ^ Titze, Kurt, Jainism : A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence, Mohtilal Banarsidass, 1998
5. ^ Surendra Bothra, Ahimsa - the science of peace
6. ^ Indian Philosophy: by Debi Prasad Chattopadhyaya, 1964. A philosophical Essay on Jainism.
7. ^ AHIMSA (in french) : http://www.ass-ahimsa.net/

Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (September 5, 1888 – April 17, 1975) is best known as the man who introduced the thinking of western idealist philosophers into Indian thought. ...

See also

• Nonviolence
• Nonresistance
• Pacifism
• Nonviolent Communication
• Yamas
• Karuna
• Gandhism
• Satyagraha

Nonviolence (or non-violence) can be both a political strategy or moral philosophy that rejects the use of violence in efforts to attain social or political change. ... Nonresistance (or non-resistance) discourages physical resistance to an enemy and is a subdivision of nonviolence. ... Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes. ... Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a process developed by Marshall Rosenberg that seeks to allow people to communicate with others effectively and with compassion. ... Ten Traditional Yamas or Codes of Conduct The Yamas are codified as the restraints in numerous scriptures including the Shandilya and Varuha Upanishads, Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Gorakshanatha, the Tirumantiram of Tirumular and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. ... For the army colonel see Colonel Karuna. ... Gandhism (or Gandhi-ism) is an informal reference to the vision, core inspirations, principles, beliefs and philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian Independence Movement. ... Mohandas Karamchand “Mahatma” Gandhi, who developed Satyagraha Satyagraha (Sanskrit: सत्याग्रह satyāgraha) is a variety of nonviolent resistance developed by Mohandas Gandhi. ...

External links

• Ahimsa quotations from Puranic scripture (vedabase.net)