Ahimsa means complete non‑violence — not hurting any living being in thought, word, or action. In Jain Dharma it is the highest religion (ahiṁsā paramo dharmaḥ). It covers all jivas, from one‑sensed beings (like plants and water‑bodied) to five‑sensed beings (animals and humans).

Key points:

• What counts as himsa (violence): any injury caused by body, speech, or mind; done by oneself, through others, or by approving others’ harm. Intention (bhava) matters even more than the outward act (dravya).
• Why it matters: harming others binds karmas to the soul; practicing ahimsa purifies the soul and leads toward liberation (moksha).
• For monks/nuns: Ahimsa is observed as a Great Vow (Mahavrata) — absolute non‑injury with extreme carefulness.
• For laypeople: Ahimsa is observed as a Limited Vow (Anuvrata) — avoid all intentional harm and minimize unavoidable harm in daily life (work, travel, housekeeping) with care and restraint.

How to practice simply:

• Be mindful: avoid anger, hatred, harsh speech, and careless actions.
• Diet and habits: strict vegetarianism, avoid alcohol and night‑eating; filter water; reduce waste and unnecessary harm.
• Carefulness (samiti) and controls (gupti): move, speak, and act attentively; practice pratikraman to repent any lapses.
• Compassion: kindness to all beings, support for life‑protecting activities.

Digambar and Shvetambar traditions: Both hold ahimsa as supreme and foundational; differences are in details of monastic discipline, not in the principle itself.

For a short, clear reference on the Ahimsa vow for laypeople, see: Basics of Jainism emphasizing Ahimsa: