What is "nonkilling"

a. Not engaging in killing. n. 1 A precept or worldview that affirms the possibility of a society where killing is absent. 2 Lack of killing; permitting to live. 3 (context countable English) An action or occurrence other than a direct killing (but possibly having a similar effect).

Nonkilling refers to the absence of killing, threats to kill, and conditions conducive to killing in human society. Even though the use of the term in the academic world refers mostly to the killing of human beings, it is sometimes extended to include the killing of animals and other forms of life. 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). Significantly, "nonkilling" has also been used recently in the "Charter for a World without Violence" approved by the 8th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.