Sources to explore
Texts, teachings, and scholarship
- Bhagavad Gita
- Upanishadic traditions
- Teachings on ahimsa
- Hindu vegetarian traditions
- Contemporary Hindu scholarship
All traditions
Sacred Animals and Stewardship
Hindu
Reflect on ahimsa, dharma, reverence for life, and the bonds connecting humans, animals, and the natural world.
The ethical lens
A tradition-rooted starting point.
Hindu traditions offer diverse teachings on non-harm, duty, sacred animals, and the interdependence of life—inviting compassionate practice in both personal and communal life.
Ahimsa — non-harm
Dharma and responsibility
Sacredness of life
Food, devotion, and discipline
Put compassion into practice
Ways a community can begin
- ✓Explore ahimsa in daily life
- ✓Host a compassionate community meal
- ✓Study sacred animal traditions
- ✓Support animal protection efforts
Curated resources
Begin with your community.
These shared programs can be adapted with your community’s own leaders, language, and practices. Study materials rooted in this tradition will be added as they are developed and reviewed.
Adaptable across traditions
Compassionate Conversations™ — Hosting Guide
Plan, facilitate, and follow through on respectful, values-based dialogue in your community.
Presentation & facilitated dialogue · Flexible; set a local schedule
Toolkit being prepared
Adaptable across traditions
Compassionate Cookout™ — Faith-Community Hosting
Bring people together for an inviting plant-based meal and compassionate conversation.
Community meal & conversation · Flexible; set a local schedule
Toolkit being prepared
Faith and interfaith communities
Music & the Earth — Community Hosting
Bring music, reflection, and dialogue into your community through a program developed with Dr. Priya Parrotta.
Arts presentation & discussion · Plan timing with the presenter
Toolkit being prepared
Suggestions open in your email app and are reviewed before publication.
A question for reflection
“How can ahimsa become a living community practice rather than only a personal ideal?”
Build this pathway with us
Clergy, educators, scholars, and practitioners are invited to contribute.
Help review sources, shape study materials, share lived practices, or join the forming Interfaith Compassion Council.