Ahiṃsā in Practice: Jain Contributions to the Ethics of Yoga

This paper explores how the Jain ideal of ahiṃsā (non-harm) shapes the conception and practice of yoga in Jain texts, focusing on Hemacandra's Yogaśāstra (12th century) and the Yogapradīpa (ca. 15th century), while also considering other Jain yoga works where relevant. Although ahiṃsā is widely recognized as a hallmark of Jain ethics, its specific role in defining Jain yoga practice and distinguishing it from rival traditions has not been systematically examined in historical sources.

Hemacandra explicitly integrates ahiṃsā into his yoga system, presenting non-harm not only as a moral foundation but also as a defining criterion for authentic yoga. In his polemics against Śaiva, Vedic, and Buddhist rivals, he frames Jain yoga as uniquely ethical and effective because of its commitment to ahiṃsā.

The Yogapradīpa, by contrast, mentions ahiṃsā only briefly, as one of the five vratas (vows), but implicitly reflects the same ethical orientation. It discourages spectacular and forceful practices, situates yoga within the inner self rather than external ritual, and advocates a restrained, non-violent mode of discipline.

While recent interpretations have highlighted the connection between ahiṃsā and yoga from contemporary or philosophical perspectives, this paper examines how this relationship is articulated in historical Jain yoga texts and how it is used to define and distinguish Jain yoga within its South Asian context.

The study is part of ongoing research into violence and non-violence in the history of yoga more broadly. It aims to clarify how Jain authors negotiated their place in the contested South Asian yogic landscape while maintaining their distinctive commitment to non-harm.