“Ahimsa” principle in the religious and cultural practices of ancient and contemporary India

Abstract

Purpose: The paper is focused on the development of the ahimsa principle and its specifics in the ideology of ancient and contemporary India, in its religious and cultural practices. Methodology: An in-depth analysis of the sacred texts of Brahmanism, Jainism, and Hinduism allows to provide a philosophical and anthropological definition of the concepts of violence and non-violence in Indian ideology and its religious and cultural practices. A review of the concepts of violence and non-violence in the religions of contemporary and ancient India is made. Result: The author concludes that issues of violence and non-violence in religious traditions are primarily based on prerequisites connected with religion and world views resulting from concepts concerning the beginnings of life. Hinduism emerged from concepts of Universal sacrifice as the origin of being, that is why its interpretation of violence and non-violence is different from that in monotheistic religious traditions. Applications: This research can be used for universities, teachers, and students. Novelty/Originality: In this research, the model of “AHIMSA” Principle in the Religious and Cultural Practices of Ancient and Contemporary India is presented in a comprehensive and complete manner.