ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 438

From this data (also graphically represented in the line-graph given below) it is obvious that maximum incidence of embracing Voluntary Peaceful Death' is in the age group of 61-100 years. This fact is also supported by the finding of this study that the average age of the practitioners of Voluntary Peaceful Death' is 77 years.
Series 1
M
21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 > 100 YRS YRS YRS YRS YRS
Reasons for embracing 'Voluntary Peaceful Death'
Reason
Number
Accident or Emergency Old-age / Incurable Disease Total
337
350 3,6
96,4
100
Percentage
This data and the graph alongside clearly show that there are only a few cases of accidental deaths in which the dying takes the vow of 'Santh ra-', assume a disposition of equanimity and dies a peaceful death. Most cases of embracing of Voluntary Peaceful Death' are due to one's inability to carry on with the religious practices owing to weakness and infirmity of old age and sufferings wrought by incurable diseases.
Distribution of Cases of Sam dhimara a with and without Sallekhan With Sallekhan - 26 (7.4 % of the sample)
Period Of Sallekhan Tradition 12 Years
Over 1 year Under 1 year Digambara
Total
vet mbara
Without Sallekhan - 324 (92.6 % of the sample) From this distribution, it is apparent that winter season is the most favourite season for the practitioners of 'Voluntary Peaceful Death'. It stands to reason, as the winter does not take kindly to the old, weak and the feeble.
3.1 Euthanasia The life - own or other's - is sacred and taking it away either by accident or by design is considered as a sin by all the religious philosophies of the world. The Jaina Prophets and preceptors down the ages have considered life, not only human but also of the lowliest of the low creatures, as sacred and inviolable. Even then man has resorted to killing others in the name of wars or game or otherwise
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0