Ahimsa (;
IAST: ,
Pāli: ) is a term meaning 'not to injure' and 'compassion'. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root
hiṃs – to strike;
hiṃsā is injury or harm,
a-hiṃsā is the opposite of this, i.e. cause no injury, do no harm. Ahimsa is also referred to as
nonviolence, and it applies to all living beings - including all animals - according to many Indian religions.