Buddhism originated in North West India some 2,500 years ago, with the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha (the Awakened One). His teaching, or Dharma, then spread from its Indian home throughout Asia, and Buddhist civilisations were established in China, Tibet, Japan and East Asia generally.
Many Buddhists in the UK come from families with ethnic links to one of these traditional Buddhist countries (e.g. Thailand, Sri Lanka, China). However, in the last hundred years or so Buddhism has gradually established itself in the West, taking a number of different forms. Consequently you are equally likely to encounter British people with no family background in Buddhism, who have adopted Buddhism as adults, and increasingly their children who have grown up as Buddhists in a Western milieu.
The essential teachings of the Buddha are often presented in the following words:-
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s mind – this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
(Dhammapada verse 183)
The first Precept enjoins Buddhists to avoid killing and harming living beings. Consequently many Buddhists are vegetarian, but this is by no means universally the case. Best to make no assumption about diet.
There are no prolonged periods of fasting required or prescribed. Some short customary periods of fasting may occur occasionally on certain festival days, but this would not be essential. Monks and nuns of certain traditions follow rules that prevent them from eating after midday, except sometimes in the case of illness, where specified foods may be taken. If nursing a monk, nun or priest, enquiries should made.
There are no special points to be noted by medical or nursing staff. The normal caring procedures are sufficient in themselves.
Death and dying may be treated in the normal way, and ideally should take place in an atmosphere of peace, calm and sensitivity. There are no special procedures to be undertaken by hospital staff. In some traditions it is thought to be highly beneficial for the dying person to be supported by a teacher or member of the Buddhist community during and immediately after the dying process. As part of this there may be requests for the body to remain undisturbed for a period, before being moved. The great majority of Buddhists will have an existing connection with a group or community who can be contacted for advice about this, if necessary. The Buddhist Society 020 7834 5858 may be able to advise or suggest local contacts. Most Buddhists are cremated, but this is not invariably the case.
In Buddhism old age, illness and death are acknowledged to be inherent in life itself, so Buddhists will generally appreciate frankness about diagnosis, the effects of treatment and prognosis.
Because awareness is thought to be important in Buddhist practice, and especially so around the dying process, many Buddhists will be concerned to ensure that pain relief does not leave them completely disconnected from what is happening to them. It is therefore prudent to discuss thoroughly the range of possible pain relief options being offered, especially if the drugs are likely to cause excessive drowsiness or confusion.
There are no Buddhist objections to blood donation or transfusion provided that these are freely given.
Is a more complex issue. There is a NHS leaflet on the subject:
Buddhism and organ donation
There are no injunctions in Buddhism for or against organ donation. The death process of an individual is viewed as a very important time that should be treated with the greatest care and respect. In some traditions, the moment of death is defined according to criteria which differ from those of modern Western medicine, and there are differing views as to the acceptability of organ transplantation. The needs and wishes of the dying person must not be compromised by the wish to save a life. Each decision will depend on individual circumstances.
Central to Buddhism is a wish to relieve suffering and there may be circumstances where organ donation may be seen as an act of generosity. Where it is truly the wish of the dying person, it would be seen in that light.
If there is doubt as to the teachings within the particular tradition to which a person belongs, expert guidance should be sought from a senior teacher within the tradition concerned.
When he discovered a monk sick and uncared for, the Buddha said to the other monks,
“Whoever would care for me, let him care for those who are sick”.
There are many different Buddhist traditions and organ donation is an individual choice:
NHS Blood and Transplant guide to Buddhism and organ donation
There is nothing of special significance to nursing staff in this area. Normal procedures will be adequate.
Contraception may be discussed freely as necessary. Objections are unlikely, though some Western Buddhists may consider certain kinds of contraceptive pill to be unacceptable. Contraception is, for example, practised widely in the Buddhist kingdom of Thailand today.
Although this is a potentially difficult area for Buddhists, among others, it would be prudent to make no assumptions and to provide the normal range of options and information..
Buddhists are most likely to accept medical advice when it is clearly explained and the options fully explored. Doctors and nurses are generally held in high esteem in Buddhist cultures because helping others and relieving suffering are important in Buddhist training.
Except in the case of monks and nuns, there are no particular points to be noted in this area.
Buddhists in hospital or other care settings may wish to have an image (rupa) of the Buddha, either in the form of a small statue or photograph, at their bedside. A Buddha rupa represents the wisdom, compassion and ability to help others that Buddhists train to realize in themselves, and such an image should be treated with respect, with care being taken when moving or cleaning around them.
