A Comparative Study of The Principle of Non-violence in Theravada Buddhism and Jainism

Abstract

This academic article provides a comparative study of the principle of an ahimsa (non-violence) in Theravada Buddhism and Jainism. In Theravada Buddhism, the ahimsa means to no harming oneself or others; it is the virtue of virtuous people. Non-violence leads to happiness in the world through three aspects: refraining from harming with body, speech, and mind, and it is judged with or based on doer’s intention. Principles support people to the ahimsa, including the loving-kindness, compassion, non-hatred, non-malice, and the seven virtues of a good person. The application of ahimsa can be done within the moral level as the fundamental ethical principle under the form of the Middle Way (Majjhima Patipada) in daily life.
 In Jainism, the ahimsa means to refraining from harming even the smallest living beings, recognizing that these beings possess consciousness. It represents treatment of all things within the context of life. The basic ahimsa is the supreme virtue or the most important teaching among all Jainism doctrines. It comprises of the three aspects: non-violence through body, speech, and mind, judged by one’s intention. The principles lead to the best ahimsa, including the loving-kindness, the empathy, and the compassion for daily life and society.
The concept of non-violence (ahimsa) in Theravada Buddhism and Jainism shares similarities in its meaning, types, criteria, beneficial principles, and application, however, they differ in their significance. In the Theravada Buddhism views, the non-violence is the virtuous principle and the important part of the Eightfold Path, emphasizing its core teachings. Jainism, on the other hand, considers the non-violence supreme, the highlighting self-mortification as a virtue, while also emphasizing the wisdom and the Middle Way (Majjhima Patipada). In broad terms, Buddhism and Jainism share many similarities in their core principles.