Sallekhana

Nishidhi, a memorial stone depicting the observance of the vow of sallekhanā, Old Kannada inscription, 14th century, Tavanandi forest

Sallekhanā (also Santhara, Samadhi-marana, Sanyasana-marana) is the last vow prescribed by the Jain ethical code of conduct.[note 1] The vow of sallekhanā is observed by the Jain ascetics and lay votaries at the end of their life by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids.[1][2][3] Sallekhanā is allowed when normal life according to religion is not possible due to old age, incurable disease or when a person is nearing his end.[3][4] It is a highly respected practice among the members of the Jain community.[5] According to Jain texts, sallekhanā leads to ahimsā (non-violence or non-injury), as a person observing sallekhanā subjugates the passions, which are the root cause of hiṃsā (injury or violence).[6] In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court banned the practice, calling it suicide. On 31 August 2015, the Supreme Court of India stayed the decision of the Rajasthan High Court and lifted the ban on sallekhana.[7]

Overview

Sallekhanā is made up from two words sal (meaning 'properly') and lekhana, which means to thin out. Properly thinning out of the passions and the body is sallekhanā.[8] Sallekhanā is prescribed both for the householders (śrāvakas) and the ascetics.[9] In Jainism, both ascetics and householders have to follow five fundamental vows (vratas). Ascetics must observe complete abstinence and their vows are thus called Mahavratas (major vows). The vows of the laity (who observe partial abstinence) are called anuvratas (minor vows).[10] Jain ethical code also prescribe seven supplementary vows, which include three guņa vratas and four śikşā vratas.[11]

Head Vow Meaning
Five vows
 1. Ahiṃsā Not to hurt any living being by actions and thoughts
2. Satya Not to lie or speak what is not commendable.[12]
3. Asteya Not to take anything if not given.[13]
4. Brahmacharya Chastity / Celibacy in action, words & thoughts
5. Aparigraha (Non-possession) Detachment from material property.
Guņa vratas[14]
Merit vows		 6. Digvrata Restriction on movement with regard to directions.
7. Bhogopabhogaparimana Vow of limiting consumable and non-consumable things
8. Anartha-dandaviramana Refraining from harmful occupations and activities (purposeless sins).
Śikşā vratas[15][14]
Disciplinary vows		 9. Samayika Vow to meditate and concentrate periodically.
10.Desavrata Limiting movement to certain places for a fixed period of time.[16]
11.Prosadhopavāsa Fasting at regular intervals.
12.Atihti samvibhag Vow of offering food to the ascetic and needy people.

An ascetic or householder who has observed all the vows prescribed to shed the karmas, takes the vow of sallekhanā at the end of his life.[15] According to the Jain text, Purushartha Siddhyupaya, "sallekhanā enable a householder to carry with him his wealth of piety".[17] Sallekhanā is treated as a supplementary to the twelve vows taken by Jains. However, some Jain Acharyas such as Kundakunda, Devasena, Padmanandin and Vasunandin have included it under the last vow, śikşā-vrata.[18]

The vow of sallekhanā is often explained with a famous analogy:[19]

“ A merchant stores commodities for sale and stores them. He does not welcome the destruction of his storehouse. The destruction of the storehouse is against his wish and when some danger threatens the storehouse, he tries to safeguard it. But if he cannot stop the danger, he tries to save the commodities at least from ruin. Similarly, a householder is engaged in acquiring the commodity of vows and supplementary vows. And he does not desire the ruin of the receptacle of these virtues, namely the body. But when serious danger threatens the body, he tries to avert it in a righteous manner without violating his vows. In case it is not possible to avert danger to the body, he tries to safeguard his vows at least.[20] ”

Sallekhanā is divided into two:[21]

Conditions and Procedure

Sallekhanā as expounded in the famous Jain text, Ratna Karanda Sravakachara

Conditions

According to Tattvartha Sutra (a compendium of Jain principles): "A householder willingly or voluntary adopts sallekhanā when death is very near."[22] According to famous Jain text, Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra, the sallekhanā can be observed only "on the arrival of unavoidable calamity, distress, senescence and disease."[23]

Procedure

The duration of the practice could be up to twelve years or more.[24] Sixth part of the Jain text, Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra is on sallekhanā and its procedure.[23] The procedure expounded is as follows—

Giving up solid food by degrees, one should take to milk and whey, then giving them up, to hot or spiced water.

[Subsequently] giving up hot water also, and observing fasting with full determination, he should give up his body, trying in every possible way to keep in mind the pancha-namaskara mantra (Namokar Mantra).

— Ratna Karanda Sravakachara (127–128)[23]

Jain texts mention five transgressions of the vow of sallekhanā:[22][25]-

Due to the prolonged nature of sallekhanā, the individual is given ample time to reflect on his or her life. The purpose is to purge old karmas and prevent the creation of new ones.[26] The vow of Sallekhana can not be taken by a lay person on his own without being permitted by a monk.[27]

In Practice

Sallekhana place for the monks at Udayagiri hills.

According to a survey conducted in 2006, on an average 200 Jains practice sallekhanā until death each year in India.[28] Statistically, Sallekhanā is undertaken both by men and women of all economic classes and among the educationally forward Jains. Statistically it is done by more women than men. It has been argued that Sallekhana serves as a means of coercing widows and elderly relatives into taking their own lives,[29] but that is a rare case. In both the writings of Jain scriptures and the general views of many followers of Jainism, due to the degree of self-actualisation and spiritual strength required by those who undertake the ritual, Sallekhana is considered to be a display of utmost piety, purification and expiation.[30] In 1999, Acharya Vidyanand, a prominent Digambara monk took a twelve year long vow of sallekhanā.[31]

Historical examples

Doddahundi nishidhi inscription was raised in honor of Western Ganga Dynasty King Nitimarga I in 869 C.E. The king was a devout Jain who observed the vow of Sallekhanā. These memorial stones (nishidhi) were raised in medieval India to honor noted Jains who took Sallekhanā.
A sallekhanā inscription at Shravanbelgola. Inscription (130) is in characters of the 7th century.

In around 300 BC, Chandragupta Maurya (founder of the Maurya Empire) undertook Sallekhanā atop Chandragiri Hill, Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa, Karnataka.[32][33][34] Chandragupta basadi at Shravanabelagola (a chief seat of the Jains) marks the place where the saint Chandragupta died.[35] Acharya Shantisagar, a highly revered Digambara monk of the modern India took Sallekana on 18 August 1955 because of inability to walk without help and weak eye-sight.[36][37] He died on 18 September 1955.[38]

Misconceptions

Jain texts make a clear distinction between the sallekhanā vow and suicide.[39] According to Jain text, Puruṣārthasiddhyupāya:

"When death is imminent, the vow of sallekhanā is observed by progressively slenderizing the body and the passions. Since the person observing sallekhanā is devoid of all passions like attachment, it is not suicide.
— Puruşārthasiddhyupāya (117)[40]

In the practice of Sallekhanā, it is viewed that death is "welcomed" through a peaceful, tranquil process that provides peace of mind and sufficient closure for the adherent, their family and/or community.[41]

In both the writings of Jain Agamas and the general views of many followers of Jainism, due to the degree of self-actualisation and spiritual strength required by those who undertake the ritual, Sallekhanā is considered to be a display of utmost piety, purification and expiation.[30]

In his book, Sallekhanā is Not Suicide, Justice T. K. Tukol wrote:[42]

My studies of Jurisprudence, the Indian Penal Code and of criminal cases decided by me had convinced that the vow of Sallekhanā as propounded in the Jaina scriptures is not suicide.

According to Champat Rai Jain, "Soul is a simple substance and as such immortal. Death is for compunds whose dissolution is termed disintegration and death when it has reference to a living orgainism, that is a compound of spirit and matter. By dying in the proper way will is developed, and it is a great asset for the future life of the soul, which, as a simple substance, will survive the bodily dissolution and death. The true idea of sallekhanā is only this that when death does appear at last one should know how to die, that is one should die like a man, not like a beast, bellowing and panting and making vain efforts to avoid the unavoidable!".[43][44]

According to advocate, Suhrith parthasarathy, "Sallekhanā is not an exercise in trying to achieve an unnatural death, but is rather a practice intrinsic to a person's ethical choice to live with dignity until death".[45]

Legality

In India, suicide remains a crime.[46] The police are allowed to arrest people attempting a hunger strike where there is danger, and to force-feed the person and charge them.[46]

In 2006, human rights activist Nikhil Soni and his lawyer Madhav Mishra filed a Public Interest Litigation with the Rajasthan High Court. The PIL claimed that Sallekhanā should be considered to be suicide under the Indian legal statute. They argued that Article 21 of the Indian constitution only guarantees the right to life, but not to death.[46] The petition extends to those who facilitate individuals taking the vow of with aiding and abetting an act of suicide. In response, the Jain community argued that it is a violation of the Indian Constitution's guarantee of religious freedom.[47] It was argued that Sallekhanā serves as a means of coercing widows and elderly relatives into taking their own lives.[48]

This landmark case sparked debate in India, where national bioethical guidelines have been in place since 1980.[49]

In August 2015, the Rajasthan High Court stated that the practice is not an essential tenet of Jainism and banned the practice making it punishable under section 306 and 309 (Abetment of Suicide) of the Indian Penal Code.[50]

On 24 August 2015, members of the Jain community held a peaceful nationwide protest against the ban on Santhara.[51] Protests were held in various states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi etc.[52] Silent march were carried out in various cities.[53]

On 31 August 2015, Supreme Court of India stayed the decision of Rajasthan High Court and lifted the ban on santhara.[7] The Special Leave Petition brought before the Supreme Court of India was filed by Akhil Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Parishad.[54][55] Supreme court considered Santhara as a component of non-violence ('ahimsa').[56]

Recent Case

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sallekhanā.

Notes

  1. ↑ Jain ethical code prescribes five main vows, seven supplementary vows and last sallekhana vow

Citations

  1. ↑ Wiley 2009, p. 181.
  2. ↑ Battin 2015, p. 47.
  3. 1 2 Tukol 1976, p. 7.
  4. ↑ Jaini 2000, p. 16.
  5. ↑ Kakar 2014, p. 173.
  6. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 116.
  7. 1 2 Ghatwai, Milind (2 September 2015), "The Jain religion and the right to die by Santhara", The Indian Express
  8. ↑ Kakar 2014, p. 174.
  9. ↑ Tukol 1976, p. 8.
  10. ↑ Tukol 1976, p. 4.
  11. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 87.
  12. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 61.
  13. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 68.
  14. 1 2 Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 88.
  15. 1 2 Tukol 1976, p. 5.
  16. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 90.
  17. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 114.
  18. ↑ Williams, Robert (1991), Jaina Yoga: A Survey of the Mediaeval Śrāvakācāras, Motilal Banarsidass, p. 166, ISBN 978-81-208-0775-4
  19. ↑ S.A. Jain 1992, p. 242–243.
  20. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 117.
  21. ↑ Settar 1989, p. 113.
  22. 1 2 Tukol 1976, p. 10.
  23. 1 2 3 Jain, Champat Rai (1917), "The Ratna Karanda Sravakachara", Internet Archive, The Central Jaina Publishing House, pp. 58–64
  24. ↑ "Doc firm on Santhara despite HC ban: I too want a beautiful death". The Indian Express.
  25. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2011, p. 111.
  26. ↑ Sallekhanā, jainworld.com
  27. ↑ Jaini 1998, p. 231.
  28. ↑ "'Over 200 Jains embrace death every year'", Express India, 30 September 2006
  29. ↑ Braun, W (2008). "Sallekhana: The ethicality and legality of religious suicide by starvation in the Jain religious community". Medicine and law. 27 (4): 913–24. PMID 19202863.
  30. 1 2 "Is the Jain practice of Santhara about Right to Life or Death? - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 2015-07-12. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  31. ↑ Gel, Peter Fl; Flügel, Peter (2006-02-01). Studies in Jaina History and Culture. ISBN 978-1-134-23552-0.
  32. ↑ Tukol 1976, p. 19–20.
  33. ↑ Sebastian, Pradeep, "The nun's tale", The Hindu
  34. ↑ "On a spiritual quest", Deccan Herald, 29 March 2015
  35. ↑ Rice 1889, p. 17–18.
  36. ↑ Tukol 1976, p. 98.
  37. ↑ Tukol 1976, p. 100.
  38. ↑ Tukol 1976, p. 104.
  39. ↑ Christopher Chapple (1993-01-01), Nonviolence to Animals, Earth, and Self in Asian Traditions, p. 102, ISBN 0-7914-9877-8
  40. ↑ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 115.
  41. ↑ "Sallekhanā versus Suicide". Omni Journal of Spiritual and Religious Care. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  42. ↑ Tukol 1976, p. Preface.
  43. ↑ Champat Rai Jain 1934, p. 179.
  44. ↑ Tukol 1976, p. 90.
  45. ↑ PARTHASARATHY, SUHRITH (24 August 2015). "The flawed reasoning in the Santhara ban". THE HINDU. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  46. 1 2 3 "Religions: Jainism: Fasting". BBC. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  47. ↑ See Nikhil Soni v. Union of India and Ors. AIR (2006) Raj 7414.
  48. ↑ Braun, W (2008). "Sallekhanā: The ethicality and legality of religious suicide by starvation in the Jain religious community". Medicine and law. 27 (4): 913–24. PMID 19202863.
  49. ↑ Kumar, Nandini K. (2006). "Bioethics activities in India". Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 12 (Suppl 1): S56–65. PMID 17037690.
  50. ↑ "Rajasthan HC bans starvation ritual 'Santhara', says fasting unto death not essential tenet of Jainism". IBNlive. 2015-08-10. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
  51. ↑ "Jain community protests ban on religious fast to death". Yahoo News India. 24 August 2015.
  52. ↑ "Jains protest against Santhara order". The Indian EXPRESS. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  53. ↑ "Silent march by Jains against Rajasthan High Court order on 'Santhara'". timesofindia-economictimes.
  54. ↑ "Supreme Court stays Rajasthan High Court order declaring 'Santhara' illegal". The Indian EXPRESS.
  55. ↑ SC allows Jains to fast unto death, Deccan Herald, 31 August 2015
  56. ↑ Rajagopal, Krishnadas (1 September 2015). "Supreme Court lifts stay on Santhara ritual of Jains". THE HINDU. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  57. ↑ "Jain woman dies in Rajasthan after 50 days of santhara fasting". http://www.hindustantimes.com/. 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2016-10-08. External link in |newspaper= (help)

References

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