Buddhist Ethical Discussion on Euthanasia

ABSTRACT

The development of medical science and equipment saves countless lives and alleviates patients’ pain. However, at the same time, patients, their families and doctors come to face ethical and moral dilemmas related to euthanasia. Thus, issues on euthanasia relating to how or when to die are being actively discussed. When confronting this controversy, it becomes clear that ethical points of view on death are not standardized. This study discusses euthanasia in terms of the Buddhist point of view. Since Buddhism explains death and life as concepts of equal value, I believe that it will provide valuable in attempting an ethical discussion of euthanasia. Buddhist scriptures provide clues that help understand the Buddhist idea on euthanasia both directly and indirectly. Buddhist percepts related to taking a human life suggest the Buddhist viewpoint on euthanasia. Many excerpts in the Buddhist canon suggest that euthanasia is not allowed because basically Buddhism is a religion that prohibits any kind of killing to any beings. Therefore, any acts or intents to kill anything cannot be excuses. Although euthanasia has a clearly merciful motive to help patients, it cannot be allowed because it shortens humans’ lives as part of an arbitrary human act. This stance of a precept of ‘don’t kill’ is based on a Buddhist basic spirit which considers life to be the most precious thing. However, although basically Buddhism prohibits suicide, it distinguishes suicide of the common people who have reasons to live from that of monks who kill themselves to reach ‘nirvana through sacred death. The goal of ‘sacred death’ is to reach ‘nirvana’, in Mahayana Buddhism, it means ‘attaining Buddhahood’. Eventually, discussions on euthanasia come to the conclusion that it is a practical task in dealing with death. Selecting life and death depends on an individual’s choice but it is important to emphasize the dignity of life to patients who think about euthanasia. Also, it is significant to find social support and moral justification for patients who suffer from incurable illness to ensure there is a meaning in their lives, insofar as a theory of bio-ethics has been established. This is the genuine set of practical Buddhist ethics.