Ahimsa

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Ahimsa

Enforces idea of having no ill feelings fir any living being at any time

No verbal/physical abuse

Not harming/killing anything - including plants except certain circumstances

Brahman dwells within everything

All creatures are considered to be different forms of God - and to be related (or have been) in some way

Gandhi

Great adherent of ahimsa

"An eye for an eye only ends up making the world blind"

"Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love"

Inspired many to solve conflicts in non-violent ways

Hunger strikes, boycotts, speeches, marches

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Violence in Hinduism

War may be the only solution to some conflicts

Descriptions of violence in scripture

Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita and other epics

May be needed to fulfil your dharma

For example, the Kshatriyas

Vegetarianism

"In its finer or spiritual sense the term 'cow protection' means the protection of every living creature" - Gandhi

ISKCON says:

Meat is unhealthy (preservatives etc)

Meat arouses passion (e.g. anger)

If you quote the sacred mantras of the Vedas, your mouth shouldn't be contaminated by meat

Devotees will only eat as Krishna ate

If we needlessly kill animals we will be killed and eaten in the next life (karma)

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Euthanasia and Suicide

Attitudes towards Euthanasia and Suicide

Euthanasia disturbs the natural cycle of life, death and re-birth (Samsara) --> bad karma for doctor or patient

Suicide means you will carry troubles and misfortunes into the next life

Hinduism teaches to use every opportunity in life to create good karma --> to achieve a good rebirth

Suicide and euthanasia is considered to be a rejection of the gift of life

Challenges/contradictions

Suti/Sutee - widows traditionally threw themselves on funeral pyre of husbands --> considered noble

Suicide is mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabharata

Prayopavesa - fasting until death by holy men and women

Considered to be a holy/noble act

Is it not a good deed to end someone's suffering?

Freedom to choose

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Abortion

Householder's duty to produce children and continue family line

Will lead to bad karma

Life begins at conception - foetus contains soul/atman

Foetus should be considered as a living creature

Upanishads oppose abortion

Denies opportunity to improve and create own destiny

Challenges

Incest

Sexual Abuse

Rape

In some places/cultures there's a preference for boys

Disability

Medical/mental health of mother

Over-population

Some scriptures offer compassion and understanding for moral dilemma abortion brings

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Ahimsa in Scripture

"Having no ill feelings for any living being in all manners possible and for all times is called ahimsa" - Manu-Smriti

"This whole universe is Brahman. Let a man revere it in all tranquility as that from which all things are born and into which they dissolve and in which they breathe and move" - Chandogya Upanishad Ch. 3

"The principles of ahimsa does not include any evil thought, any unjustified haste, any lies, hatred, ill-will towards anyone" - Gandhi

"His Being is the source of all beings, the seed of all things are that are in this life have their life. He is God hidden in all beings, their inmost soul. He lives in all things and watches all things" - Svetasvatara Upanishad