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(Created page with "{{short description|Voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids in Jainism}} {{Good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}} {{Italic title}} thumb|alt=Nishidhi stone with 14th century old Kannada inscription from Tavanandi forest|''Nishidhi'', a 14th-century [[Hero stone|memorial stone depicting...") Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
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'''''Sallekhana''''' ([[IAST]]: {{IAST|sallekhanā}}), also known as '''''samlehna''''', '''''santhara''''', '''''samadhi-marana''''' or '''''sanyasana-marana''''',<ref name=":0" /> is a supplementary vow to the [[Ethics of Jainism|ethical code of conduct]] of [[Jainism]]. It is the religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|pp=179–181}} It is viewed in Jainism as the thinning of human passions and the body,{{sfn|Vijay K. Jain|2012|p=115}} and another means of destroying rebirth-influencing [[karma]] by withdrawing all physical and mental activities.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|pp=179–181}} It is not considered a suicide by Jain scholars because it is not an act of passion, nor does it employ poisons or weapons.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|pp=179–181}} After the ''sallekhana'' vow, the ritual preparation and practice can extend into years.<ref name=":0" /> | '''''Sallekhana''''' ([[IAST]]: {{IAST|sallekhanā}}), also known as '''''samlehna''''', '''''santhara''''', '''''samadhi-marana''''' or '''''sanyasana-marana''''',<ref name=":0" /> is a supplementary vow to the [[Ethics of Jainism|ethical code of conduct]] of [[Jainism]]. It is the religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|pp=179–181}} It is viewed in Jainism as the thinning of human passions and the body,{{sfn|Vijay K. Jain|2012|p=115}} and another means of destroying rebirth-influencing [[karma]] by withdrawing all physical and mental activities.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|pp=179–181}} It is not considered a suicide by Jain scholars because it is not an act of passion, nor does it employ poisons or weapons.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|pp=179–181}} After the ''sallekhana'' vow, the ritual preparation and practice can extend into years.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
''Sallekhana'' is a vow available to both Jain [[Jain monasticism|ascetics]] and | ''Sallekhana'' is a vow available to both Jain [[Jain monasticism|ascetics]] and householders.{{sfn|Battin|2015|p=47}} [[Historic evidence]] such as ''nishidhi'' engravings suggest ''sallekhana'' was observed by both men and women, including queens, in Jain history.<ref name=":0" /> However, in the modern era, death through ''sallekhana'' has been a relatively uncommon event.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=181}} | ||
There is debate about the practice from a [[right to life]] vs [[right to die]] and a [[freedom of religion]] viewpoint. In 2015, the [[Rajasthan High Court]] banned the practice, considering it [[suicide]]. In 2016, the [[Supreme Court of India]] stayed the decision of the Rajasthan High Court and lifted the ban on ''sallekhana''.<ref name=Milind/> | There is debate about the practice from a [[right to life]] vs [[right to die]] and a [[freedom of religion]] viewpoint. In 2015, the [[Rajasthan High Court]] banned the practice, considering it [[suicide]]. In 2016, the [[Supreme Court of India]] stayed the decision of the Rajasthan High Court and lifted the ban on ''sallekhana''.<ref name=Milind/> | ||