Vol. 8, Issue 5, Part E (2022)

Abstract
The word “Ahimsa” is from the Sanskrit language and means ‘non-harm/injury’ and is commonly translated into English as “non-violence”. It is a doctrine in the four Indian religions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism and is defined by the Encyclopaedia Britannica as “the ethical principle of not causing harm to other living things. In Buddhist thought, Ahimsa is also an important concept, the first precept of Buddhism is to avoid doing harm to other living things. To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings. This precept applies to all living beings not just humans. All beings have a right to their lives and that right should be respected. Buddhism teaches us non-violence towards others; violence towards other living things is contrary to the teachings of the Buddha. Historically, Buddhists have, on the whole, adhered to this precept. The Buddha taught us to overcome and avoid suffering. Therefore, we cannot impose suffering on others. Killing not only causes suffering for the person who is killed but also causes suffering for their family and friends who have lost their loved one. It is also the seed of future suffering, with bad karmic compassion for the killer. The Buddha also taught us to show love and compassion to others in place of hate and violence, and not just love for our friends but equally for our compassion, or those who seek to do us harm.