Buddhism And Euthanasia

The nature of modern society continually grows through the adversities presented throughout life, calling for moral and spiritual guidance. Buddhism as a non-theistic religion presents a passive philosophy that systematically alleviates the central belief of dukkha(suffering) and release from Samsara(cycle of rebirth). In relations to the quotations, Buddhaghosa of the Theravada variant and Dogen of the Zen buddhists address the attainment of enlightenment through living the Buddhist teachings and meditation. Similarly, the XIVth Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism(Mahayana), stressed ‘peace in the soul’ for the path to Nirvana that is attained by harmony between others and inner peace by the practice of Buddhist teachings such as the eightfold
However it is viewed as a negative aspect of life from a Buddhist perspective as it shows the mental state of the mind that allowed physical suffering to affect the adherent’s decision. Buddhists stress pacifism and that euthanasia is unacceptable in all manners as it violates the Vinaya(monastic code). Instead, Buddhists acknowledge the use of meditation to enable the adherent to attain a state where euthanasia is not contemplated to end the suffering. The Dalai Lama offers spiritual support on this point, by encouraging the ‘analytical’ meditation by focusing on current beliefs of euthanasia and questioning them. Although it seems mundane, the Dalai Lama’s method of meditation to clear the mind is supported by the Dogen as “Proper meditation is single-minded intense sitting...practising repentance” demonstrating the need for self-guidance and reconciliation with the self in the journey to Nirvana. However, the traditional view of euthanasia is often debated because of sutras such as the ‘Channa’ which entails a story of suicide considered by the Buddha to end the unbearable physical pain, contradicting the traditional view of euthanasia. Under the guidance of the Dalai Lama, euthanasia is condoned for, “those in a coma with no possibility of recovery,” adopting a circumstantial reasoning behind the use of euthanasia like abortion, “best to be judged on a case by case basis.” The Dalai Lama acknowledges euthanasia as a possible process of eliminating dukkha which is similarly paralleled in the Zen Buddhists, where the Sangha are permitted for euthanasia, as they are enlightened, and are able to help others in the next life. Under the Dalai Lama’s moral guidance, the adherents of Buddhism are able to adopt utilitarian ethics that although opposes the Ahimsa, has allowed