|
|
The Jainism concept of ahimsa can be quite easily compared to the Christian idea of respect for life. Ahimsa can be simply defined as the policy of non-injury to all living things especially humans, animals, and plants. It is necessary to know that in the Christian faith as well, it is immoral to bring about harm to God’s own created beings. The background of ahimsa goes all the way back to the sixth century B.C. and links to the thoughts and life of Mahavira. Mahavira, or “great man” was the founder of Jainism and followed the faith in the most extreme ways possible. For example, he would rip out five handfuls of hair, wander around only wearing a loincloth, and follow asceticism and ahimsa to their fullest.
|
