Nonkilling

Nonkilling refers to the absence of killing, threats to kill, and conditions conducive to killing in human society. It traces its origin from the broader concept of ahimsa or nonviolence, one of the central tenets of Indian religions, namely, Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, where it includes all sentient life forms. This is also the case for the traditional use of the term "nonkilling" (or "non-killing") as part of Buddhist ethics, as expressed in the first precept of the Pancasila, and in similar terms throughout world spiritual traditions (see Nonkilling studies). While it is typically extended to include the killing of animals and other forms of life, the use of the term in political and academic contexts refers mostly to the killing of human beings. The term was popularised as a modern political concept in the 2002 book Nonkilling Global Political Science by Glenn D. Paige. Significantly, "nonkilling" was used in the "Charter for a World without Violence" approved by the 8th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.