Ahinsa

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A doctrine found in certain religions that emphasizes a commitment to non-violence and compassion toward all forms of life
2. A key teaching in various spiritual traditions that advocates for peaceful coexistence and the avoidance of harm to others
3. An ethical principle encouraging avoidance of harm and promoting kindness to every living being

Etymology: Ahimsa is a Sanskrit noun built from "a," a negative prefix meaning "not," and "hiṃsā," meaning injury or harm, so the literal sense is "not harming." The concept sits at the heart of Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism, where it governs conduct toward all living beings, and it was carried into English through those traditions as a borrowed term rather than one shaped by English speakers. The spelling "ahinsa" is a variant of the same word. English writers have used both forms, and each reflects an attempt to render the Sanskrit sounds with the Roman alphabet, with the vowel and nasal in the middle of the word being the main points of variation.