Santara (Sallekhana)

Syllabus: Jainism

Source:  NDTV

 Context: Recently a three-year-old girl in Indore reportedly died after being administered Santhara by a Jain monk, bringing the ancient Jain ritual of voluntary fasting unto death back into public and legal discourse.

About Santhara (Sallekhana):

• Definition: Santhara or Sallekhana is a Jain religious vow of voluntary fasting unto death, undertaken to purify the soul and attain moksha.
• Religious Association: Practiced in Jainism by both monks and laypersons under extreme conditions like terminal illness, old age, or famine.
• Features:
  • Involves gradual withdrawal from food and water.
  • Taken only with spiritual maturity and under religious supervision.
  • Involves forgiveness, detachment, and spiritual reflection.

About Key Jain Practices:

Core Doctrines of Jainism:

1. Ahiṃsa (Non-violence): Jains believe in absolute non-violence towards all living beings, including insects and microbes, making it a foundational ethical principle.
2. Satya (Truthfulness): Speaking truth is mandatory, but it must not harm others—truth should be spoken with compassion and care.
3. Asteya (non-stealing): One must not take anything that is not willingly offered, emphasizing ethical acquisition and honesty.
4. Brahmacharya (Chastity): Celibacy for monks and sexual restraint for householders, promoting control over desires and spiritual discipline.
5. Aparigraha (non-possessiveness): Detachment from material and emotional possessions is stressed to reduce greed and promote liberation.

Triratna (Three Jewels of Jainism):

1. Samyak Darshan (Right Faith): Having correct perception of truth, free from doubts, is the first step toward spiritual liberation.
2. Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge): True knowledge must be free from doubt and error, grounded in understanding reality and karma.
3. Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct): Moral and disciplined behavior aligned with Jain principles, essential for attaining moksha (liberation).

Legal Status of Santhara in India:

• 2015 Rajasthan High Court Ruling: Declared Santhara illegal, equating it with suicide under IPC Section 306.
• Supreme Court Stay: In August 2015, the SC stayed the order, recognising the practice under the constitutional right to religious freedom (Article 25).
• Current Status: Legally protected as a religious practice, subject to consent and religious guidance.

Significance in Jainism:

• Spiritual Goal: Seen as a peaceful, dignified exit from life aimed at shedding karma and achieving liberation (moksha).
• Historical Practice: Followed by Jain sages like Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya in Shravanabelagola.
• Literary References: Found in Jain texts like Ratnakaranda Shravakachara and Tamil works like Silappadikaram and Neelakesi.

Conclusion:

Santhara represents a deeply spiritual and ethical tradition in Jainism, reflecting values of detachment, discipline, and non-violence. While its legality has sparked debates, it continues to be a constitutionally protected religious practice in India. Balancing religious freedom and modern ethics remains crucial in its discourse.

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