AHIMSA

 (Sanskrit: non-injury), concept of dynamic harmlessness, central doctrine of Indian culture and of equal importance to the Jains, the Hindus, and the Buddhists. In Jainism, ahimsa is the standard by which all actions are judged. For a householder observing the small vows ( anuvrata ), the practice of ahimsa requires that he must not kill any animal life, but for an ascetic observing the great vows ( mahavrata ), ahimsa entails the greatest care to prevent him from causing injury even unknowingly to any living substance. Many common Jain practices, such as not eating or drinking after dark or the wearing of cloth mouth covers ( mukhavastrika ) by monks, are based on the principle of ahimsa. Although the Hindus and Buddhists are not so strict in the observance of ahimsa as the Jains, vegetarianism and tolerance towards all forms of life has become widespread in India. In ancient times, the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (third century BC) stressed the sanctity of animal life in his inscriptions. In modern times, Gandhi's theory of passive resistance as a means to bring about political change is a prime example of the principle of ahimsa. He extended ahimsa into the political sphere. His mode of satyagraha (non-violent resistance) was instrumental in breaking the complacency of the British rule.