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Non-violence
Suicide in Buddhism
The view of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan that Buddhism does not approve of suicide is not correct. Even in times of Buddha himself the Bhikkhus Channa and Valkali had committed suicide due to incurable diseases; the Tathāgata had approved of it. Both the Bhikkhus were perfectly alert. Their suicide is uniquely different in the sense that instead of preparing slowly for death by fasts. etc., they kill themselves by just one stroke of the weapon. This can be known as harakiri. The Jain Scriptures do not approve of this. However, the basis is the same in both, the ideal being defence of a life of Samadhi. The Scriptures properly use the words. Samadhimarana and Panditamarana here.
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Some Suktas
Let us take some illustrative verses in their translation here.. "Just as cutting of a boil is not for bringing about death, in a similar way, Samadhimaraṇa is not for death but for its resistance.
He neither desires life, nor prays for death. The Atma--purity incarnate-in ones conduct is Santhuro.
[Darsan aur Cintan, pt. 2, pp. 533-636]:
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