Ahimsa as Hinduism's Greatest Gift to the World

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Ahimsa as Hinduism's Greatest Gift to the World

I do not agree with this statement that Ahimsa is Hinduism's greatest

gift to the world. Ahimsa, the principle of non-violence and respect

for life is sure a great and important part of Hinduism. However many

regards other aspects of Hinduism is more important principles such as

Dharma. Many believe Dharma the right conduct and laws that upholds

harmony in society is the central concept of Hinduism. Or maybe

Samsara the cycle of life is greater even Buddhism. Many believe that

Buddhism one of the most important religions came from Hinduism. Its

also clear from the Bhagavad-Gita that Dharma is more important than

ahimsa. When Arjuna the warrior was set back about killing his uncle

in the battle lord Krishna ordered him to kill because he must fulfil

his duty his Dharma.

Another reason why I don't think ahimsa is the greatest gift is

because that we are still not sure weather non-violence works in all

conditions. For the Jews that went through holocaust/ shoah it would

seem no matter how you defend you self you will still get hurt. People

will continue to die even if you don't retaliate against the violence

done by the Nazis; therefore non-violence sometimes would achieve

nothing and is for the cowards.

However, some people would agree with the statement. They would argue

that ahimsa is not just non-violence it's the attitude of love and

respect to all other living things. Hindus believe god is in

everything and therefore all life is sacred no one should hurt and

take away something so sacred. It is one of the reasons why most

Hindus are vegetarian. Ahimsa is also one of the eternal laws and one

must through achieving ahimsa to reach moksha - the ultimate goal.

Also arguably one of the greatest man modern history and a significant

figure one Hinduism Mahatma Gandhi believed that the most important

way of dealing with things is non-violence. Ahimsa was his principle

for he believed that:

" The principle of ahimsa does not include any evil thought, any

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