Nonviolence in Indian Thought: Exploring Ahiṃsā from the Vedas to Gandhi (Routledge Studies in Asian Religion and Philosophy)

Building on the previous Italian edition, this volume presents a historical narrative and examination of the concept of ahi?sa (nonviolence) throughout Indian religious and philosophical traditions, tracing its evolution from ancient Vedic texts to Mahatma Gandhi's modern interpretation and application. Acknowledging the nuances of the concept of ahimsa, the book makes clear that nonviolence in most of the Indic religions is located within a cluster of concepts, Taking a broadly historical and chronological approach, chapters explore the perceptions and understandings of ahi?sa through the ancient foundation Sanskrit texts of the Vedas and Upanishads, the Hindu texts of the Dharmasutras and Mahabharata, and finally through Heterodox traditional texts of Jainism and Buddhism.The book then looks at Gandhi's comprehensive approach to ahimsa, demonstrating that ahimsa in Indian thought is not merely passive nonviolence but an active, creative principle. Ultimately arguing that nonviolence