(equivalents: ahimsā, avihesā): 'harmlessness', nonviolence, absence of cruelty.

The 'thought of harmlessness' (or: 'non-cruelty'; avihimsā-vitakka) is one of the three constituents of right thought (sammā-sankappa), i.e. the 2nd factor of the Eightfold Path (s. magga).

In the several lists of 'elements' (dhātu) appears also an 'element of harmlessness' (avihesā-dhātu), in the sense of an elementary quality of noble thought.

See Dhp. 225, 261, 270, 300.