1. Bioethics Eastern
Perspective
Part 4

2. Bioethics
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.

3. Bioethics
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 alive
by artificial means several years
in vegetative state.

4. Bioethics
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.

5. Bioethics
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.

6. Bioethics
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.

7. Bioethics
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

8. Bioethics
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.

9. Bioethics
Process of Sallakhana
 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.

10. Bioethics
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.

11. Bioethics
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

12. Bioethics
Travel and Hotel Information
AIRPORTS
Ontario 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.
HOTELS
The 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.

13. Bioethics
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)