The Right to Die: Buddhist Perspective

Abstract

This research is of objective to study and research on the life, death, dying, and the will to die in Buddhist perspective in comparison with western concept. On life, western idea concerns only the physical formation of the body with the period of living, i.e. from birth to death. Medical treatments involve in case of sickness or implement of the defect physical part of body, or even to extend life. One question arises as to the right or wrong practice for doctors and relatives to follow the will to die of the patient at the end of life. In Buddhist perspective, life comprises of both physical body and mind, originated by the inception in mother’s womb through delivery, grows up, old age, decay, and death. In case of life and death, nobody can resist the power of kamma. The state of mind of a person before and dying moment is different. Buddhism does not agree with the will to die as in current trend in medical treatment at present.

Keywords: Buddhist Perspective; Life and death; the will to die