`Donating Organs Can Help Overcome Death Anxiety, Make People Feel Better Connected With Life'
Religious beliefs are considered one of the biggest hurdles preventing people from donating organs. Yet, a look at how different faiths view the giving of organs -to save and improve lives -calls the bluff on this perception.
Truth is most religions are open and straightforward on the issue.
The Puranas, for instance, cite many instances of people cheerfully donating their body parts organs. In Peria Purana, Kananappa Nayanar offers his eyes to Lord Shiva.
Despite this, many are worried that donating organs may impact the soul. As Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says: "Do not worry about the soul.
You'll certainly not be born blind in your next life if you pledge your eyes after death this time."
Sri Sri labours on the point that organ donation is a "sacred offering, a noble gesture". People are often misled by `beliefs' (read superstitions) that have no space in any religion, he says. " As far as belief systems go, if religion contradicts science, go with science."
He invokes the Gita to explain.
"What does Krishna say in the Bhagvad Gita? In the last chapter (Chapter 18, Verse 63), he says: If you are faced with a challenge or doubt, think over it. If your logic accepts it, accept it. Ponder over it fully , then do as you like." Expounding the power of reason, Sri Sri urges followers to heed Krishna's words to Arjuna on the battlefield: "Reason it out, discuss it, think about it in entirety , don't leave any aspect out. Then do as you like."
In short, if logically you are comfortable donating organs, do not let vague religiosity influence you.
Sri Sri suggests a scientific approach to religion. The underlying point being: We should make ourselves useful and of service, in life and death. As far as belief systems go -if religion contradicts science, science should prevail.
"You donate your organs after death for someone's benefit -this is scientific; there's nothing wrong in it," says Sri Sri. "If your religion says, you'll go to hell if you donate your organs, I'd say: Stick to science.
Not only has the recipient of the organ benefited, but also his family and community . When a blind person gets to see, he becomes independent, confident and is able to help himself and others."
Continuous Charity Organ donation is an act of value worthy of reward. In fact, some religions say an artificial transplant is no substitute for a natural organ transplant.
In Islam, organ donation is believed to be sadqa jariyah, that is, continuous charity . For example, if a blind person receives another's eyes after the person's death and can see, that is sadqa jariyah, because even after death the benefits from his donation continue to be received by another. Organ donation signifies living with the spirit of compassion, say scholars. The donor loses nothing, but gives others something precious -the gift of life. There is a saying: `The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation'. This could well apply to organ donation.
The Big Connect Spiritually speaking, when deciding to pledge organs some have reported experiencing a larger connect with humanity . By pledging their organs, they say it's easier to de-link themselves from the body and focus on the soul.
A Delhi psychologist recounts his experience in dealing with the ageing. "We tend to be possessive about our physical form," and the very thought that our bodies will be cut post-death and body parts utilised to give life to others can be repulsive and scary . Yet, as we mature, psychological wellbeing is heavily dependent on the ability to extend ourselves beyond the self and body .
"Till the time we are obsessed and identified exclusively with our body , we remain anxious about ageing and mortality . Donating organs in reality can help overcome death anxiety . A 71-year-old gentleman was depressed by the idea of death. Once he decided to donate his organs and told his family , he reported positive changes in his personality. He lost his preoccupation with illness, and his fear of death reduced.
He became calm and joyful. He began to say , `When I think that my organs will give life to someone, I don't feel alone. I feel connected to life. I find myself as part of a large chain or web of life.' " Then there's the story of a teacher whose doctor went out of his way to treat him though the teacher couldn't pay his bills. The teacher felt grateful and to express this, decided that rather than subject his body to useless rituals post-death, it should be given to a medical college to help students become good doctors. Noble cause, yes, but as leading theologists say , it's still not easy.
On God's Duty A lighter take on the Bible says Adam was perhaps the first organ donor -after all, "God took a rib out of Adam and created Eve" (Genesis 2:21). Christianity views organ donation not only as a moral deed, but also as commendable, even recommending it as a religious duty .
At the forefront in pushing the issue, have been the papal heads.
"Transplants are a great step forward in science's service of humankind.... There is need to instil in peo ple's hearts, especially in the hearts of the young, a genuine appreciation of the need for love that can find expression in deciding to become an organ donor," said late Pope John Paul II in August 2000, adding that systems and regulations must be in place so that organ donation does not get commercialized.
The Catholic Church teaches: "Organ transplants are in conformity with moral law... Pledging one's organs to be donated after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged. It is not morally acceptable if the donor or his next of kin hasn't given explicit consent. It is not morally admissible to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even to delay the death of others."
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said: "Organ donation is a special form of witness to love.... In a period like ours, often marked by various forms of selfishness, it is ever more urgent to understand how the logic of free giving is vital to a correct conception of life.... As Jesus taught us, only whoever gives one's own life can save it (Luke 9:24)."
Grow With Religion There was a time when Jewish law prohibited organ donation and transplantation as procedures were not in place, or matters were still at an experimental stage. Today , that is not the case. Rabbis and scholars across the spectrum of Jewish life have upgraded their views on this.
Organ donation from a dead body is seen as an act of saving life, pikkuah nefesh. Organ donation from a living donor is fine too as long as it does not significantly risk the donor's life; then it is a mitzvah kiyumit, praiseworthy . One of the most compelling arguments for organ donation is the love, mercy and compassion involved in such an act. Saving a life is a fundamental imperative in Judaism, says Rabbi Malekar.
That said, all faiths advise abundant caution to ensure that organ donation retains the spirit of charity .
For that, education plays a big role, says Sri Sri, who has pledged his eyes. For starters, the family must be taken into confidence that one has pledged to donate an organ or organs so they can peacefully do the needful when it's time.
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