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Ahimsa

अहिंसा
uh-HIM-sah

Non-violence or non-injury, an ethical principle in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist traditions.

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Meaning & usage

Ahimsa is the principle of non-violence, expressed in thought, word and deed. It is central to Jain ethics, prominent in Hindu and Buddhist morality, and became internationally famous as the bedrock of Mahatma Gandhi's political philosophy of satyagraha — non-violent resistance. The Sanskrit prefix "a-" negates "himsa" (harm), so the word means literally "not-harming".

In a sentence

Gandhi made ahimsa the foundation of his political method.

Common spelling variants

  • Ahinsa

Ahimsa is the English spelling used in MG Mini puzzles.

As seen in crosswords

Ahimsa is a 6-letter answer. A typical clue:

“Non-violence or non-injury, an ethical principle in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist traditions” (6)

Category: Concept Origin: Sanskrit Script: Hindi

Related words

  • Dharma — Moral and natural law — duty, righteousness, and the right way to live.
  • Karma — Action and its moral consequence — a foundational concept in Indian religions.
  • Namaste — Traditional Indian greeting, performed with palms joined at the chest and a slight bow.
  • Obhiman — A feeling of hurt or disappointment arising when affection, care, or expectations from a loved one are not met.
  • Nirvana — Liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth in Buddhist and Hindu thought.
  • Yoga — Indian system of physical, mental and spiritual disciplines aimed at union of self with the divine.

Related crosswords

Puzzles with a theme close to Ahimsa.

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