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Ahimsa, a concept of comprehensive peace

The term ahimsa comes from Sanskrit and refers to a concept that advocates non-violence and respect for life. In this way, it implies not only not killing but also not causing physical or emotional pain to any living being, whether through thoughts, words or actions.

The first appearance of this term dates back to the 5th century BC. C. in the context of Indian philosophyspecifically in Hindu scriptures Upanishads. However, it is also used in Buddhism and Jainism.

Ahimsa It is also related to respect for the spirit, nature and cultures, that is, to lead a life in peace with everything that surrounds us. In some way, this term represents the congruence between what we say, think and do in relation to the act of giving love and being in harmony with the world. Let’s dig deeper.

The concept of ahimsa in the West

Mahatma Gandhi was the precursor of incorporating the concept in the West, who considered it the common denominator of all religions, including Islam. However, over time there have been many leaders, who advocated for civil rights, who have implemented it as part of their doctrine.

Precisely, Martin Luther Kingthe highest representative of the civil rights of the African-American population, was influenced by this concept; being the standard bearer of pacifist protests against violence and poverty worldwide.

However, the inclusion of the term ahimsa in the West it has just been incorporated thanks to different practices such as yoga and meditation. In this way, many Westerners begin to venture into new concepts, based on feeling attracted to Eastern culture. In fact, nonviolent communication (NVC) developed by Rosenberg is a good example of this.

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The meaning of ahimsa for Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology of non-violence It comes from his inclination towards Hinduism and Jainism.

“Literally ahimsa It means non-violence towards life, but it has a much broader meaning. It also means that one cannot offend another person, and must feel sorry for the other, even if it is an enemy. For those who follow this doctrine, there are no enemies. Whoever believes in the effectiveness of this doctrine finds the ultimate state, when the goal is reached, seeing the world at his feet. If we express our love —ahimsa— in such a way that it marks our enemy forever, said enemy will return that love to us.”

-Mahatma Gandhi-

So, For Gandhi, ahimsa It indicates, of course, not to kill, but it also refers to the human capacity not to harm others at all.. Do not cause any kind of pain, including psychological pain. To do this, you must have an absolute state of consciousness.

Likewise, he states that who practices the ahimsa you need to have an absolutely peaceful mind, mouth and hands. On the other hand, it is valid to highlight that for Hinduism the fundamental objective of non-violence is to avoid the accumulation of harmful karma. Therefore, the individual must practice a state of integral peace with himself and with the environment that surrounds him.

Thus, By sharing an absolute respect for life, an unconditional veneration for nature is established. The individual will be at peace with himself, with the other and with the environment where he lives. It is a principle of equality, respect and balance, in which nothing matters other than life in any of its forms or origin.

Ahimsa as a global and humanistic practice

Thinking about others and not harming them is a principle of supreme equality. If it is related to a cultural and humanistic practice, respect for all cultures can be established equally. In this way, ethnocentrism would have no reason to exist.

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For a long time, Throughout human history, violence towards other cultures has been justified by considering them inferior. In this way, ethnocentrism through a false notion of superiority, in addition to being a way of dominating, concealed, through unfounded reasons, a colonialist goal.

Establishing new parameters of cultural equality is a way to reduce the level of suffering and abuse reproduced for centuries at different scales: social, economic, political, educational, psychological and obviously cultural.

Thinking of the other as different, but at the same time equal to us, with the same rights for life, it is a principle of equity, that must be carried out in a comprehensive manner if we want to achieve what the ahimsa: comprehensive peace on the face of the earth.

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