Respect For Life (Ahimsa, Suffering, Abortion & Euthanasia)

Question 0

Give some examples of Ahimsa

Answer 0

Food, treatment of animals, not using leather products, no lying/cheating/gossip, pacifism (no war), against abortion + euthanasia, environments should be preserved + not needlessly destroyed

Question 1

What is Ahimsa?

Answer 1

The universal law: non violence, avoiding harming others in thought word or deed.
It is part of Sanatanadharma, and goes back to the Upanishads. This has lead to the strong belief in the sanctity of life, and Ghandi is the best example

Question 2

When was abortion legalised in India and why?

Answer 2

1971, despite Ahimsa. Legal for up to 20weeks. Due to population control & for secular reasons. Abortion can only take place in a government clinic

Question 3

Arguments against abortion

Answer 3

• life begins at conception
• all life is sacred & holy
• even in the case of rape
• violence - against ahimsa
• bad karma to end a pregnancy
• stops foetus’ atman from being reborn
• duty to marry & be reproductive

Question 4

Arguments for abortion

Answer 4

• karma for the benefit of the child (severe pain/wouldn’t survive) or if the mother will die as a result of the pregnancy
• wrong to prolong a life where there is no chance of survival
• good karma to relieve the child from suffering

Question 5

What is suffering? (Expressed through karma)

Answer 5

All misfortune, bad luck + tragedy is the result of bad actions, thoughts + deeds from the previous life - if you perform bad deeds, you will live your next life full of suffering

Karma is not God punishing us, it is just a universal law

Question 6

Should people help those who suffer?

Answer 6

Yes:
Improves their karma (it is a duty)
Care for family + caste, including servants
Donate to schools, medical care, shelter + food
Ghandi refused to accept that outcastes should suffer: ‘the only way to find God is to see him in his creation … This can only be done by service for all’

No:
Karma is a natural order (cannot avoid)
It is their own fault
Pleasure & pain come together - without pain we wouldn’t understand Maya

Question 7

What is Maya?

Answer 7

The concept of leaving or transcending pleasure & pain behind so that you can reach a state of bliss

Question 8

Arguments against euthanasia

Answer 8

• we should accept the gift of life and particular situation
• great sin & crime
• not acceptable
• alternative is Ayurvedic medicine

Question 9

What is Ayurvedic medicine?

Answer 9

Spiritual remedies (prayer + meditation) as well as natural herbal remedies to restore health in the whole person, body, mind & soul. 
Believed to treat illnesses eg heart disease, cancer and ulcers which are associated with stress