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Among these five vows "Ahimsa" is the cardinal principle of Jainism and hence it is called the highest religious principle or the cornerstone of Jainism.
Ahimsa (Non Injury)
Bhagavan Mahavira has said that all living beings desire life and not death. Therefore no one has a right to take away life of any other being. Therefore killing of life is the greatest sin. There are people who believe in not killing human beings, but they do not mind animals being killed. According to Jainism, killing of animals is also a great sin. Jainism goes still further and says that there is life in trees and plants, and there is life in air, water, mold etc., and all living beings have an equal right to exist. Therefore we should not kill life of even lower or lowest state. Life is dearer to everyone and therefore we must have respect for life. Not only "Live and let Live" but "Live and help others in living" should be our principle. Just as a head of the family looks after the welfare of the family members, a human being, who enjoys the highest place in the evolution of life, should look after the welfare of the other lower living beings.
Jainism further says that sometimes you may not kill a living being, but may speak something which may hurt the feelings. Sometimes you may not kill a living being, but you may think of killing it. Therefore you also commit sin when you speak hurting words or the moment you start thinking of killing some life. Hence, according to Jainism, the sin is committed not only by action, but by speech and by thought also, which again is threefold. i.e.,
1. you may commit sin yourself or
2. you may ask someone to commit sin on your behalf or
3. you may support or praise the sin committed by someone.
Hence one should refrain from committing this nine fold sin.
The universe is full of living beings, big and small, and therefore it is impossible to exist without killing or injuring some of the smallest living beings. Some lives are killed even when we breathe or drink water or eat food. Therefore, Jainism says that minimum killing should be our ideal. Moreover, it is more serious where killing is done intentionally or through indifference. Therefore great care should be taken in all our daily activities so that minimum violence is committed by our deeds, speech and mind.
In the universe, there are different forms of life, such as human beings, animals, insects, trees and plants, bacteria, and even still smaller lives which cannot be seen even through the most powerful microscope. Jainism has classified all the living beings according to their sense organs, i.e., having five senses, four senses, three senses, two senses and one sense. It is more serious if life of the highest form is killed. Therefore Jainism preaches strict vegetarianism and prohibits flesh eating.
Jainism firmly believes that life is sacred irrespective of caste, color, creed or nationality and therefore not only physical or mental injury to life should be avoided, but one should have all possible kindness towards all the living beings. This should be the spirit of Ahimsa.
Satya (Truth)
