Ahimsa means non-violence or non-injury in Jain Dharma. It is the principle of not harming any living being by thought, word, or deed.

Key points:

• At the core, ahimsa is universal compassion and respect for all life.
• It applies to all beings, big and small, including insects and microorganisms. In Jain practice, this leads to careful, mindful conduct to minimize harm.
• Inner intention matters: a sincere wish to avoid harm is as important as the outward action.
• In practice, ahimsa guides ethical choices like telling the truth without cruelty, refraining from unnecessary violence, and choosing a lifestyle that reduces harm to living beings (often including strict vegetarianism).

Notes on tradition:

• Both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions uphold ahimsa as foundational. The emphasis may differ in various ascetic practices and interpretations, but the core aim—non-violence in thought, speech, and action—remains the same.

If you’d like, I can share verses from Jain texts that articulate ahimsa and their precise meanings.