(equivalents: ahimsa^, avihesa^): ”harmlessness”, nonviolence, absence of cruelty. The ”thought of harmlessness” (or: ”non-cruelty”; avihimsa^-vitakka) is one of the three constituents of right thought (samma^-sankappa), i.e. the 2nd factor of the Eightfold Path (s. magga). In the several lists of ”elements” (dha^tu) appears also an ”element of harmlessness” (avihesa^-dha^tu), in the sense of an elementary quality of noble thought. See Dhp. 225, 261, 270, 300.