The term ahimsa comes from Sanskrit and refers to a concept that advocates non-violence and respect for life, so the concept not only involves not killing, but also not causing physical or emotional pain to a living being, whether through thoughts, words or behavior.
The first appearance of this term dates from the 5th century a. C. , in the context of Indian philosophy, specifically appeared for the first time in the Hindu writings Upanishads; however, it is also used in Buddhism and Jainism.
- Ahimsa is also respect for spirit.
- Nature and cultures.
- In other words.
- He preaches to lead a peaceful life with everything around us.
- In general.
- This term represents the search for coherence between what we say.
- Think and do in relation to the act of giving love and being in harmony with the world.
- Let’s see below.
Mahatma Gandhi was the forerunner of this concept in the West, incorporating it into culture, considering it as the common denominator of all religions, including the Islamic religion, yet over time, many leaders have advocated for civil rights and have also implemented this concept as part of their doctrine.
Specifically, Martin Luther King, the largest civil rights representative of the African-American population, was strongly influenced by this concept and has become the flag of peaceful protests against violence and poverty around the world.
The inclusion of the term ahimsa in the West, however, occurred only through practical differences such as yoga and meditation; in this way, many Westerners began to look for other new concepts, attracted by Eastern culture as a whole. -Violent communication (CNV) developed by Rosenberg is one of those examples of concepts derived from Eastern culture.
Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology of non-violence stems from his penchating for Hindu doctrine and Jainism.
“Literally, ahimsa means no violence towards life, but it also has a much broader meaning. It also means that one person cannot offend another and must have compassion for the other, even when it comes to an enemy. doctrine, enemies do not exist. For those who believe in the effectiveness of this doctrine to the last consequences, when we achieve the goal of peace, the world is in our hands. If we express our love – in such a way that it marks our enemy forever, our enemy will return this love. ?
Thus, for Gandhi, ahimsa indicates, of course, not killing, but also refers to the human ability not to harm the other, absolutely none. Do not cause any pain, including psychological damage. To do this, there must be an absolute state of consciousness.
Thus, the concept states that anyone who practices ahimsa must have an absolutely peaceful spirit, word, and hands; on the other hand, it should also be noted that for Hinduism the fundamental objective of non-violence is to prevent the accumulation of negative karma. Therefore, the individual must practice a state of inner peace that is part of himself, and also of the environment around him.
When absolute respect for life is shared, what happens is the establishment of unconditional veneration of nature, the individual will be at peace with himself, with the other and with the environment in which he lives, it is a principle of equality, respect and balance, in which life no longer matters in all its forms and origins.
Thinking about the other and not hurting it is a principle of supreme equality among all beings, it can refer to a cultural and humanistic practice. We can also establish respect for all cultures by treating them as equals, so ethnocentrism would have no reason to exist.
For a long time, throughout human history, violence with other cultures has been justified as inferior; in this way, ethnocentrism established through a false notion of superiority, besides being a way of dominating, would cover false reasons, with colonialism. purposes and bases.
Establishing new parameters of cultural equality is a way to reduce the level of suffering and mistreatment that has been repeated for centuries at different scales: social, economic, political, educational, psychological and, of course, cultural.
To think of each other as different, but at the same time equal to us, with the same rights in relation to life, is a principle of equity that must be taken into account in an integral way if we are to achieve what Ahimsa means: integral. peace on the face of the earth.