Memorandum by the Ipswich Hindu Samaj
Thank you for sending us the letter of Baroness
Howarth of Breckland, Chairman of the Sub-Committee G concerning
organ donation and transplantation—policy action at EU level.
We have consulted our members, who had no objection
for the use of organs for medical research and transplantation,
both from ethical and Hindu Faith points of view.
According to Hindu Philosophy and faith, the
body comprised of five elements ie earth, fire, air, ether and
water, and when a person dies and the body cremated or buried
it mix with these five elements. It is the Soul that remains,
which leaves one's body and goes into another.
In Shrimad Bhagvat Gita, the Hindu holy book,
Chapter 2, verses 19 & 20, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, who
does not want to fight to kill his teachers and relations:
"He who thinks this soul a slayer
And who thinks this soul can be slain
Are both ignorant?
This soul neither slays nor can be slain
Neither it is born nor does it die
Nor having come to be will it ever cease to be
Unborn, eternal, everlasting, this primeval one
Is not slain when the body is slain"
Lord Krishna further added:
"As a man shedding worn out garments, takes new ones
Likewise the embodied soul, casting out worn out bodies
Enters into others, which are new
Weapons cannot cut it, nor can fire burn it
Water cannot wet it nor can wind dry it"
(Bhagvat Gita Chap 2 verses 21-22)
Members of the Ipswich Hindu Samaj felt, that
if parts of their body could be used for the benefit of the mankind,
there is no objection to use of organs for transplantation or
for medical research. However, they felt, that the immediate family
members must be consulted and asked before the organs are taken
either for transplantation or for medical research.
23 February 2008
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