In Jainism, intentional harm, known as 'Himsa', is a central ethical concern. It is defined as any action that causes injury or death to living beings, which is fundamentally opposed to the principle of 'AhimsaDraft overviewAhimsaAhimsa, often translated as non‑violence or non‑harm, is one of the foundational ethical principles of Jainism and is regarded as the highest dharma (paramo dharmaḥ). In Jain thought, ahimsa is not merely the avoidance o…' or non-violence, a core tenet of Jain philosophy. Intentional harm is believed to accrue karma, which binds the soul and hinders spiritual progress. The practice of Ahimsa involves careful thought about the impact of one’s actions and the intent behind them. Jain texts emphasize that even thoughts or words can constitute harm if they have the potential to hurt others. The ethical guidelines extend to all forms of life, from the smallest microorganisms to humans, and encourage Jains to adopt a lifestyle that minimizes harm, such as following a vegetarian or vegan diet and avoiding professions that involve violence.