Ahimsa
The term ahimsa can be roughly translated as “do not harm” or “the avoidance of violence”. It is derived from the Sanskrit root hims, which means to strike. Himsa is injury or harm, and a-himsa is the opposite of himsa. Ahimsa is an important concept in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. How ahimsa is described and interpreted varies greatly, in old religious texts as well as by modern day practitioners. Some ancient texts that includes references to ahimsa does for instance sanction or even call for animal sacrifice. Also, self-defense when necessary – even towards other human beings – is encouraged by many religious texts and practitioners of ahimsa.
Early references
The term ahimsa can be found in the Hindu text Taittiriya Samhita of the Yajurveda, and it is also used several times in the Shatapatha Brahmana (one of the prose texts describing the Vedic ritual). The earliest reference to the idea of non-violence towards animals – an idea known as pashu-ahimsa – can be found in the Kapisthala Katha Samhita of the Yajurveda. This text is believed to have been written around the 8th century BCE. The Chandogya Upanishad (also written during the 8th or 7th century BCE, it is one of the oldest Upanishads) also contains the word ahimsa and bars violence against all creatures - sarva-bhuta. The Chandogya Upanishad names ahimsa as one of five essential virtues and the practitioner of ahimsa is said to escape from the cycle of soul transmigration.
Modern day
Today, many Hindus have turned their back on the slaughter rituals outlined by the Vedic scriptures. Instead, they live as vegetarians or vegans and do not carry out animal sacrifices. Also, the practice of ahimsa is regarded by many Hindus and non-Hindus as an important guideline for many different aspects of everyday life, not just diet and worship.
During the 1800s and 1900s the importance of ahimsa was emphasized by several influential figures, including Swami Vivekanada, Swami Sivananda, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami and Ramana Maharshi. One of India's most famous native, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, promoted the idea of applying ahimsa to all spheres of life – including national and international politics.
Gandhis non-violent resistance movement satyagraha – which had ahimsa as an integral part - impressed public opinion not just in India but worldwide and many salient civil rights proponents have declared their admiration for the satyagraha way of accomplishing change. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Gandhi's birthplace in India in 1959 when King was 30 years old, and the trip affected him in a profound way.
“Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity,” he explained in a radio address made during his last night in India. “In a real sense, Mahatma Gandhi embodied in his life certain universal principles that are inherent in the moral structure of the universe, and these principles are as inescapable as the law of gravitation.”
Gandhi argued that ahimsa included not only the avoidance of causing physical injury, but also the avoidance of hatred and evil thoughts, avoidance of harsh words, avoidance of lying, and avoidance of various other acts that he saw as manifestations of violence.