Ahimsa in Buddhism Though the Buddhist Concept Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 580 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 2

Ahimsa in Buddhism

Though the Buddhist concept of ahimsa may often be misinterpreted as being purely concerned with physical pacification, in reality the ideal encompasses both a peaceful attitude towards others as well as an attention to one's own positive and non-violent mental state. In short, ahimsa incorporates non-injury towards others as well as non-injury towards the self through negative mental ideations (tying in, of course, with the Buddhist tenets of reincarnation and karma). It is important to stress the inclusion of harmful "thought[s], word[s], or deed[s]" in what ahimsa opposes in order to form a dichotomy between this concept and that of himsa (Sivananda, 2009). The latter incorporates any form of "harshness," be it through direct means or through the "sin of omission" (Sinvananda, 2009).

It's curious, with this in mind, to consider how ahimsa relates to the concepts of strength; after all, the two seem diametrically opposed at face value.

Stuck Writing Your "Ahimsa in Buddhism Though the Buddhist Concept" Essay?

View All Our Example Ahimsa in Buddhism Though the Buddhist Concept Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

In reality, however, Buddhism stresses the "fearlessness" and "bravery" required in order to practice non-violent and non-harmful means of living (Sinvananda, 2009). Consider, for instance, the strength required in order to hold oneself back from violence when one is in the midst of great pain at the hands of others and, consequently, the infuriation inflicted on the violent party upon seeing such non-action. Ahimsa underscores the Buddhist stress on the importance and strength of the mental realm over the physical one -- the belief that the forcing out of violence from the mind leads to a united, Advaitic consciousness (Sinvananda, 2009).

Though this crucial precept of Buddhism has been adapted by numerous "freedom fighters" in the past -- including those who (realistically so) had to resort to self-defense, the ideal concept of ahimsa remains stolidly against harm against….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Ahimsa In Buddhism Though The Buddhist Concept" (2011, July 13) Retrieved May 22, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/ahimsa-buddhism-buddhist-concept-51490

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Ahimsa In Buddhism Though The Buddhist Concept" 13 July 2011. Web.22 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/ahimsa-buddhism-buddhist-concept-51490>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Ahimsa In Buddhism Though The Buddhist Concept", 13 July 2011, Accessed.22 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/ahimsa-buddhism-buddhist-concept-51490
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example