"ahimsa"

here, the sanskrit word ahimsa (i.e. non-violence) is placed over three other
words in an image. the image is present here to foster contemplation.
.
people interpret and practice ahisma differently. for example, some people might practice ahisma
through refraining from actions that harm others (i.e. not physically abusing another).
others might practice ahisma such that wherever harm is conceived as unavoidable,
the least harmful option is sought - for example, one might choose to pluck a ripe fruit from
a tree to be eaten, instead of plucking an unripe fruit for the same purpose. others might permit
some harm in order to preserve or protect what is conceived as a greater good. others some regard
the practice of speaking truthfully and peaceably as included in the practice of ahisma,
perhaps with some exceptions - for example, in the case of saving another's life, or preventing
grand-scale violence in the future, one might opt to speak an untruth or to speak more loudly.
that is, some might practice truthful and soft speaking within in his or her overall practice of
non-violence or ahisma except in cases where one's truthful and soft speaking is
conceptualized as likely leading to greater violence or harm. still others might emphasize that
curtailing perceptions or consciousness of harming others as well as a consciousness of illness,
impossibility, and death is what is essentially meant by the practice of ahimsa.

according to an online cologne digital sanskrit dictionary, ahimsa means:

1

ahiMsA

f. not injuring anything , harmlessness (one of the cardinal virtues of most Hindu1 sects , but particularly of the Buddhists and Jains ; also personified as the wife of Dharma* Va1mP.) ChUp. Nir. Mn. &c. ; security , safeness S3Br. AitBr.

sri swami sivananda's description of ahimsa in Bliss Divine (get it here) broadens
this dictionary's definition somewhat, by noting that ahimsa is: "...not mere
negative non-injury. It is positive, cosmic love. It is the development of a mental
attitude in which hatred is replaced by love. Ahimsa is true sacrifice.
Ahimsa is forgiveness. Ahimsa is Sakti (power). Ahimsa is true strength"
(Sivananda, Sri Swami. Ahimsa. Bliss Divine. India: The Divine Life Society).

notably, ahimsa plays an important role in sikhism, christianity, islam, catholicism, judaism
and other faith systems as well as in sanatana dharma (i.e. hinduism), buddhism,
and the jain faith. that is, ideas or ideals and practices of peace/non-violence,
and love are cherished in a multiplicity of faith systems throughout the world.

*The word "dharma" refers to the underlying order in nature and Life (human or other).



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