In this paper I wish to address the Buddhist and Jain notion of ahimsa and how it is understood
and followed in each religion.
Ahimsa is the Sanskrit term for avoidance of violence (hinsa). This belief holds all life as
equal and intends on preserving all life forms via mankind. Buddhism as well as Jainism, follow
non-violent principles in their quest for liberation from the cycle of rebirth. However, it is the
latter one that takes the principle of no-harm to extremes. To live a life according to the
teachings of Ahimsa, humans need not to see any type of division when it comes to creation of
life, and must seek knowledge from their respective religions to combat it.
Buddhism was created by Siddharta Gautama, a member of the warrior …show more content…
By following ahimsa principles, it helps individuals
manage their anger and desire for revenge and possibly prevent future wars. A decisive point in
the spread of Buddhism beyond the Indian territory occurred when King Ashoka rejected
violence and adopted Buddha’s teachings. As a result, ahimsa became the means for preventing
deadly battles and averting any kind of evildoing.
Jainism, as mentioned above, takes the notion of ahimsa to the extreme. Jainism was
founded by Nataputta Vardhamana, better known as Mahavira, who as Gautama pertained to the
warrior caste (kshatriyas). The principle of ahimsa (non-injury), the first of the “Five Great
Vows” Jain monks and nuns must commit themselves to, constitutes the hallmark of Jainism.
Both religions evidently agree on avoiding any sort of violence and leading followers to shun
hostility. However, in Jainism monastics are required to take drastic measures to avoid taking
life, consciously or unconsciously (Young, 102).
The belief of ahimsa is thought to be the greatest attribute that both religions share.
Buddhism as well as Jainism recognize in their respective doctrines the negative karmic …show more content…
The principle of ahimsa leads to love and
empathy rather than violence and aggression for the purpose of building unity within devotees.
Love and care represent the building blocks for ethical behavior in both religions. Followers
ought to avoid aggression on living beings, whether it is humans, animals, or plants as they all
are interconnected. A recurring similarity between both religions is their view of God as an
omnipresent figure. God is present in all forms of life, therefore devotees must follow standards
of empathy, love, and tolerance when interacting with any living being.
In Buddhism, after the adoption of non-violent ways by king Ashoka, ahimsa was utilized
to prevent warfare and direct individuals to stop hurting each other. On the other hand,
and followed in each religion.
Ahimsa is the Sanskrit term for avoidance of violence (hinsa). This belief holds all life as
equal and intends on preserving all life forms via mankind. Buddhism as well as Jainism, follow
non-violent principles in their quest for liberation from the cycle of rebirth. However, it is the
latter one that takes the principle of no-harm to extremes. To live a life according to the
teachings of Ahimsa, humans need not to see any type of division when it comes to creation of
life, and must seek knowledge from their respective religions to combat it.
Buddhism was created by Siddharta Gautama, a member of the warrior …show more content…
By following ahimsa principles, it helps individuals
manage their anger and desire for revenge and possibly prevent future wars. A decisive point in
the spread of Buddhism beyond the Indian territory occurred when King Ashoka rejected
violence and adopted Buddha’s teachings. As a result, ahimsa became the means for preventing
deadly battles and averting any kind of evildoing.
Jainism, as mentioned above, takes the notion of ahimsa to the extreme. Jainism was
founded by Nataputta Vardhamana, better known as Mahavira, who as Gautama pertained to the
warrior caste (kshatriyas). The principle of ahimsa (non-injury), the first of the “Five Great
Vows” Jain monks and nuns must commit themselves to, constitutes the hallmark of Jainism.
Both religions evidently agree on avoiding any sort of violence and leading followers to shun
hostility. However, in Jainism monastics are required to take drastic measures to avoid taking
life, consciously or unconsciously (Young, 102).
The belief of ahimsa is thought to be the greatest attribute that both religions share.
Buddhism as well as Jainism recognize in their respective doctrines the negative karmic …show more content…
The principle of ahimsa leads to love and
empathy rather than violence and aggression for the purpose of building unity within devotees.
Love and care represent the building blocks for ethical behavior in both religions. Followers
ought to avoid aggression on living beings, whether it is humans, animals, or plants as they all
are interconnected. A recurring similarity between both religions is their view of God as an
omnipresent figure. God is present in all forms of life, therefore devotees must follow standards
of empathy, love, and tolerance when interacting with any living being.
In Buddhism, after the adoption of non-violent ways by king Ashoka, ahimsa was utilized
to prevent warfare and direct individuals to stop hurting each other. On the other hand,