Ahimsa is a multidimensional concept inspired by the premise that all living beings have the spark of the divine energy or collective consciousness; therefore, to hurt another being is to hurt oneself.” It is the ethic of “reverence for life”, “non-injuring”, intention to not harm through action, thought or words. When the method of silk production is centred around nurturing life of a silkworm rather than towards acquiring maximum output of silk, it raises conscientious reasoning around the questions of violence and non violence, intention and action. In wishing health for a silkworm who lives a natural life cycle and dies a natural death, Ahimsa Eri silk is a direct adaptation of this virtue. Good quality of silk is then a progression, not just a pursuit.

Observation of life through multiple points of view. The makers of Eri silk do not attach intellectual concepts of violence or non- violence to Eri silk production. While the locals see silkworms as a source of protein in their diet, one can observe violence in the killing of silkworms when they are separated from the cocoon before finishing their life cycle. “The act of killing is complicated, and its ethicization is predicated upon intent.” In their simple mind, they do not associate this killing with the “intent to harm” but with a simple animal instinct of lifestyle. It is also believed that silkworm was used as a food source way before it was discovered as a silk producing worm. Since we are still incapable of knowing the whole truth, we accept the co-existence of multiple points of view where one can only observe the complexity of violence from the lens of their own subjective morality. Thus, we do not aim to influence anyone’s way of thinking or preach non-violence. We also do not see Ahimsa as a matter of rule, but as a matter of principle.

This project is an opportunity to practice a life of intentional non- injury and offer an alternative to adapt multiple approaches to Eri Silk production with least injury.