Bioethics Eastern Perspective Part 4

BIOETHICAL QUESTIONS FOR END OF LIFE

• Questions of life and death are fundamentally matters of religion philosophy and ethics.

• Belief in Jain philosophy, that soul reincarnates in to another living being, until liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (moksha).

• Quality of this new life is dependent upon the sum of accumulated good and bad Karmas in the past lives.

• These accumulated karmas are carried with the soul in to the new acquired body and gives appropriate fruitions.

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THE ETHICS OF END OF LIFE, DEATH AND DYING (SALLEKHANA)

• In US a good death is when one has executed a legal document relating to your wants and wishes after death.

• A person is kept alive because of some legality or absence of some directive.

• Case of Terry Schiavo in USA is well known as she was kept aliveby artificial means several years in vegetative state.

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JAINISM VALUES SOUL NOT BODY

• In Jainism value is placed to the soul and not to the physical body, as one will continue to be reborn & carry the soul into a new body till liberation.

• Therefore when physical body can no longer function towards spiritual progress a planned death is prescribed called sallekhana.

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END OF LIFE JAIN ETHICS

Sallekhana can be defined as planned detachment with the present body under special circumstances, for the purpose of decreasing the accumulated bad karmas, leading to purity in the thoughts. Person with right perception can only make such decision and per Jain scriptures is distend to liberation with in maximum of eight lives. Death thus is a celebration for such a Jain. This therefore is not a suicide. Suicide is when one does a direct and deliberate act with the intention voluntarily to kill oneself for self regarding motives. Jainism condemns suicide.

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Circumstances under which planned end of life justified in Jain philosophy• In Jainism value is placed to the soul and

not to the physical body, as one will continue to be reborn & carry the soul into a new body till liberation.

• Therefore when physical body can no longer function towards spiritual progress a planned death is prescribed called sallekhana.

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Process of Sallakhana

Depending upon the time available at ones disposal following process is the prescribed.

Mentally, physically and verbally giving up:

• All attachments and aversions (except basic needs) from all family and friends.

• All anger, ego, deceit and greed.

• All Violence, lying, stealing, passions and sensual desires

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Process of Sallakhana

Have feeling of equanimity and compassion towards all living beings.

Analyze and repent all bad deeds done during the life time.

Give up feeling of fear, animosity, hatred and unhappiness.

Keep silence as much as possible.

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Gradually decrease the intake of food: From 3 meals a day to 2 meals to 1 meal

then limit intake to milk, juices and water then gradually water only and finally even water is given up.

Spent maximum time reciting verses.

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Process of Sallakhana

Circumstances under which planned end of life justified in Jain philosophy:

Jainism tries to answer the questions of physician assisted suicide and death with dignity by voluntarily making the decision of planned Sallekhana.

Very similar to a non written directive, after the opinion of physician that there is no possible options of treatment. Like pulling the plug.

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Conference Details

Plenary sessions take place in Mudd Auditorium, Claremont Lincoln University, 1325 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711 (on the campus of Claremont School of Theology).

There is an inexpensive registration fee and a discount for students. Early registration at a reduced rate will close on July 15th.

All meals at the conference will be creative and tasty Jain vegetarian/vegan fare.

Register Here

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Travel and Hotel Information

AIRPORTSOntario International Airport (ONT) is 15 minutes from Claremont. Taxis are available outside the baggage area (approx. $20-25 for a ride to campus) or you can book a shuttle here.Los Angeles International Airport is 50 miles from Claremont. During peak traffic hours (7am-9am; 3pm-6pm), this can be a very lengthy ride. You can book a shuttle here.

HOTELSThe conference hotel is the Claremont DoubleTree, 555 W. Foothill Blvd. in Claremont; (909) 626-2411. You can make reservations (at a reduced rate) at the Jain Conference Group Page. The DoubleTree Hotel is 0.5 miles from campus, or a 10-minute walk.Other accommodations can be found at Hotel Claremont; (909) 621-4831 (3 miles from campus) or Casa 425; (866) 450-0425 (in Claremont Village, 1.3 miles from campus). There are also lodgings in nearby cities.

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August 24th and 25th , 2012

Venue:Claremont Lincoln University

Mudd Auditorium,1325 N. College Avenue,

Claremont CA 91711

Co-Sponsored by:Claremont Lincoln University, the International School for Jain Studies, Jain Center

of Southern California, and the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA)

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