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Voluntary Deaths under Other Religions
their own reasons to approve of voluntary deaths in different forms motivated by acquisition of religious merit or hopes of having a better life in the next birth. The idea that one should escape births and rebirths in the world is in the spirit of most of the religions in the East. In fact, it is the aspiration of every religiously-conscious individual to free himself from the fetters of the karma by leading a noble life of austerity and meditation.
At what stage and in what manner, life can reasonably be considered to have attained spiritual purity so as to permit the individual to resort to austerities leading to a release from the physical body has been the concern of different faiths. Religious convictions and patriotism and other like lofty motives have been the sources of noble inspiration for human actions. So, the ultimate decision whether any particular voluntary death in accordance with any religion is suicide will depend upon the motive, the means adopted and the consequences that ensue therefrom.
Jain Education International
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