ahimsa

/əˌhɪmˈsɑ/

Ahimsa is an ancient spiritual concept that began in India and centers around avoiding all forms of violence and respecting all living things.

The principle of ahimsa first appeared in the 4,000-year-old Indian spiritual and philosophical beliefs known as the Vedas. Many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism have since adopted ahimsa as part of their core virtues. In Sanskrit, the word means "without injury," and it's commonly translated in English as "nonviolence." Ahimsa involves doing the least amount of harm you can to humans and other beings.

Definitions of ahimsa

1. noun

   a Buddhist and Hindu and especially Jainist doctrine holding that all forms of life are sacred and urging the avoidance of violence
   type of:

   church doctrine, creed, gospel, religious doctrine

   the written body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group