A
guide to organ donation and Hindu beliefs
Organ donation
Organ donation is the gift of an organ to
help someone else who needs a transplant. Hundreds of people's
lives are saved each year by organ transplants. Organs that
can be donated by people who have died include the heart,
lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small bowel. Tissue such
as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can also be used to
help others.
When can organ donation take place?
Doctors and nurses are committed to doing
everything possible to save life. Organs are only removed
for transplantation once all attempts to save life have failed
and after death has been certified by a doctor or doctors
who are entirely independent of the transplant team.
Most donated organs come from people who die from a severe brain injury and who receive treatment on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. The brain injury damages vital centres in the brain stem which are essential to maintain life. No one can live once these centres have been destroyed. Tests can show conclusively when this has happened.
In some circumstances, patients who die in hospital but are not on a ventilator may also donate. They are called non-heartbeating donors.
Sometimes people who do not die in hospital can become tissue donors.
Consent
The consent, or lack of objection, of those
closest to the patient is always sought before organs can
be donated. This is why it is so important for people to discuss
their wishes with their loved ones. Donation is an individual
choice and views differ even within the same religious groups.
Many families who agree to organ donation have said that it
helps to know some good has come from their loss.
Care and respect
The removal of organs
is carried out with the greatest care and respect. The family
can see the body afterwards and staff can contact a chaplain
or local religious leader if the family wishes.
Hindu
Dharma and organ donation
There are many references that support the concept of organ
donation in Hindu scriptures. Daan is the original
word in Sanskrit for donation meaning selfless giving. In
the list of the ten Niyamas (virtuous acts) Daan
comes third.
"Of all the things that it is possible to donate, to donate your own body is infinitely more worthwhile."
The Manusmruti
Life after death is a strong belief of
Hindus and is an ongoing
process of rebirth. The law of Karma decides which way the
soul will go in the next life. The Bhagavad Gita describes
the mortal body and the immortal soul in a simple way like
the relationship of clothes to a body:
"vasamsi jirnani
yatha vihaya
navani grhnati naro 'parani
tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany
anyani samyati navandi dehi."
"As a person
puts on new garments
giving up the old ones
the soul similarly accepts new material bodies
giving up the old and useless ones."
Bhagavad Gita chapter 2:22
Scientific and medical treatises (Charaka
and Sushruta Samhita) form an
important part of the Vedas. Sage Charaka deals
with internal medicine while Sage Sushruta includes
features of organ and limb transplants.
"The important
issue for a Hindu is that which sustains life should be accepted
and promoted as Dharma (righteous living).
Organ donation is an integral part of our living."
Hasmukh Velji Shah, International Trustee, World Council of Hindus
"Organ donation is in keeping with Hindu beliefs as it can help to save the life of others."
Mr Om Parkash Sharma MBE, President, National Council of Hindu Temples
"I always carry
my donor card with me. It says that my whole body can be used
for organ donation and medical purposes after my death. I
would like to encourage as many people as possible
to do the same."
Dr Bal Mukund Bhala, Co-ordinator Hindu International Medical
Mission,
Former President Hindu Council UK
Information on Hinduism is available from:
www.bbc.co.uk/religion
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Translations
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