Santhara
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Santhara (also Sallekhana, Santhara, Samadhi-marana, Samnyasa-marana), is the Jain religious ritual of voluntary death by fasting. Supporters of the practice believe that Santhara cannot be considered suicide, but rather something one does with full knowledge and intent, while suicide is viewed as emotional and hasty. Due to the prolonged nature of Santhara, the individual is given ample time to reflect on his or her life. The vow of Santhara is taken when one feels that one's life has served its purpose. The purpose is to purge old karmas and prevent the creation of new ones.[1]
According to the Press Trust of India, on average 240 Jains practice Santhara until death each year in India. [1]
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[edit] Why not eat?
Jainism believes that each and every action (eating included) may or may not become karma. Jains are strictly vegetarian, but a tree, even if it has only one sense, has life, and hence taking away a piece of it (vegetable, fruit, leaf) hurts it - thereby adding a negative karma to all who encourage this process. Besides, there may be living organisms surviving in that fruit/vegetable/leaf that one eats. So by eating, one hurts the tree/plant and also possibly kills organisms living in it. In fact, since water also has microscopic organisms, even drinking water adds to one's karma.
The basic idea in different kinds of Jain fasting is to acquire a lowest possible negative karma and purify oneself in the process. Santhara, in this sense, is the best way to purification.
[edit] Questions regarding legality
Like most Dharmic religious traditions, Jainism considers suicide a wrong that only retains the karma from the current life and does not allow escape from the cycle of births and rebirths. Suicide involves an intentional act of harm against oneself with a known outcome that negatively affects those left behind. With Sallekhana, death is welcomed through a peaceful, tranquil process providing peace of mind for everyone involved.[2]
The practice of Santhara, where a person who has completed all duties in this life ceases to eat or drink unto death has recently led to controversy in India, where in the State of Rajasthan, a lawyer has filed a writ petition seeking the High Court of Rajasthan to hold it an illegal practice.
However, it is not clear at present as to on what grounds and statistics, Santhara is to be held illegal. The Indian Penal Code punishes any attempt to commit suicide, but this provision is in itself somewhat contentious, since it would punish only an unsuccessful attempt at suicide. Also, how far this provides deterrence is questionable. The definition of suicide on the Wikipedia Page on Suicide states, "The definition of suicide used from this point on is that the death of the person who commits suicide must be the central component and only intention of the act, rather than a secondary consequence of an act which is centrally motivated by religion, politics, etc"
When a person commits suicide, it is usually in anger or depression. The act of suicide is conducted by isolating oneself from the world and the purpose can be given in a suicide note. Further, the act is instantaneous, however for Santhara the person takes a vow not to have food or water and it is a slow process. He is not forced to commit Santhara but is acting as an individual with his own will. During the fast if the person feels he cannot continue or has a desire to live, an individual can break the vow.
Viewed from this perspective, Santhara cannot be termed suicide and, hence, there should be no question regarding its illegality. However, the court is expected to find better sources placed before it, along with more learned authorities, in order to come to a reasoned judgment.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Sallekhana. jainworld.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ Sallekhana verus Suicide. Journal of Spiritual and Religious Care. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
