Hindu Perspective
Leading the way forward on organ donation in the Jain and Hindu communities in England.
The NHS Blood and Transplant is committed to working with faith leaders and representatives of the various beliefs systems in the UK. Here, we are campaigning on behalf of the Jain and Hindu community.
There are many references that support organ donation in Hindu scriptures. Daan is the original word in Sanskrit for donation meaning selfless giving. It is also third in the list of the ten Niyamas (virtuous acts).
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:
“As a person discards the old worn-out clothes to put on new ones, the eternal soul discards the old body on death and takes re-birth into a new one.”
Bhagavad Gita, chapter 2:22
“According to Hindu religion, the word charity (Seva) has deep meaning in that donating a part of your body to give life to another person is the highest form of charity (Seva) you can participate in during and the afterlife. Nothing in the religion is beyond that. The word charity (Seva) is elaborated in Gitaji, Vedas and Upanishads.
“Giving the gift of life – or helping others to live – is viewed as a form of ‘daan’ or donation in Hinduism. Destiny or fate does not mean you don’t seek treatment if you are ill. There is nothing wrong with accepting an organ donation of any kind.”
I strongly believe that Organ Donation is the best donation any human can give.
Give a Gift, Give an Organ
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About your choices on the NHS Organ Donor Register