Ahiṃsā

This chapter provides a brief overview of the genesis of the ethical principle of ahiṃsā, or nonharming, in South Asian religions. Nonharming as a concrete ethic can be traced back to religious traditions that emerged in South Asia largely in response to ritual practices—including animal sacrifice—prevalent in the Vedic period. Jainism and Buddhism staunchly promoted this ethic which over time materialized into something of a pan-Indic religio-ethical principle. This chapter discusses ahiṃsā in the context of the religions of the region as well as vegetarianism and dairy consumption.