ahimsa

American  

[uh-him-sah, uh-hing-] / əˈhɪm sɑ, əˈhɪŋ- /

noun

Hinduism.

1. the principle of noninjury to living beings.

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ahimsa British  

/ ɑːˈhɪmsɑː /

noun

1. (in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist philosophy) the law of reverence for, and nonviolence to, every form of life

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Etymology

Origin of ahimsa

First recorded in 1830–35; from Sanskrit ahiṁsā “noninjury,” equivalent to a- privative suffix (cognate with Greek a- ) + hiṁsā injury, derivative of hánti “(he) slays,” Greek phónos “murder”; a- ⁶

Explanation

Ahimsa is an ancient spiritual concept that began in India and centers around avoiding all forms of violence and respecting all living things. The principle of ahimsa first appeared in the 4,000-year-old Indian spiritual and philosophical beliefs known as the Vedas. Many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism have since adopted ahimsa as part of their core virtues. In Sanskrit, the word means "without injury," and it's commonly translated in English as "nonviolence." Ahimsa involves doing the least amount of harm you can to humans and other beings.

Example Sentences

Lawson and Lal often discussed Gandhi’s conception of ahimsa, the Sanskrit word for nonviolence.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2024

Indeed, he practiced ahimsa to the extent that he went on a hunger strike to end Hindu–Muslim infighting once India began to establish its own government.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

I want you to know and feel that there is nothing but purest ahimsa in all that I am saying and doing today.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

The draft resolution of the Working Committee is based on ahimsa; the contemplated struggle similarly has its roots in ahimsa.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Shridharani has traced for us the origins of this distinctive Hindu philosophy of ahimsa.

From Introduction to Non-Violence by Paullin, Theodore