The Buddhist concept of ahimsa is the essential practice of non-violence, literally meaning not killing or not injuring anyone or any living thing, and having respect for life (Nakagaki). Anger and hatred are escalated when we become attached to them, and practicing ahimsa is the answer to violence. Practicing compassion and loving kindness is the answer. Ahimsa means not killing living beings and not letting others kill. It means peace and reverence for all sentient beings (Ahimsa).
In Jainism, the ahimsa-vrata is a vow of ahimsa, and is the first of the five mahavratas, or great vows of the religion (Ahimsa). All animal life and most plant life is considered sentient. Any action which endangers this life, such as agriculture, violence, animal sacrifice, drinking liquor, eating honey, potatoes or certain fruits and eating at night is forbidden. Some Jains wear a cloth over their mouths to avoid inhaling airborne life forms. The Jain concept of ahimsa involves three time three - the three actions (karanas) of ahimsa in the three modes (yogas) - observances:
Neither by action or speech or thought:
2) cause injury to be done to others (karita)
3) approve injury done by others (anumata, mananat, or anumudana).
Buddha would have found it acceptable to engage in
agriculture, but Mahavira would not. Mahavira would have found it acceptable to avoid eating potatoes and certain fruits, whereas Buddha would not.
Nakagaki, T. Kenjitsu. "Practice of Ahimsa in Buddhism." 2004.