In Jainism, ahimsa (non-violence) is the highest value. When someone hurts you physically, the ideal response is to remain calm, avoid retaliation, and practice forgiveness (kshama) rather than hatred or revenge. This is not just for the other person’s sake, but for your own spiritual progress, because every act of violence binds karma and harms the soul.

Ways to respond that align with Jain teaching:

• Try to de-escalate the situation and remove yourself from harm without returning violence.
• Cultivate forgiveness (kshama) and mercy toward the aggressor; this reduces inner agitation and purifies the mind.
• Reflect with equanimity on the event, and perform repentance (pratikraman) for any negative thoughts or actions you may have done in the moment.
• If safety requires action, prioritize protecting life and minimizing harm, while keeping a mindset of non-violence and detachment.

Important nuance:

• While the ideal is absolute non-violence, many Jain teachers acknowledge that in extreme situations (e.g., to protect your life or the lives of others), one may take necessary steps to stop harm, with the aim to cause the least possible harm and to restore peace as quickly as possible. The emphasis remains on restraint, inner peace, and ongoing practice of non-violence.

If you’d like, I can share specific Jain text verses on ahimsa, forgiveness, and pratikraman, along with their traditional meanings.