HINDUISM Visweswaran N Ramasamy Senior Physiotherapist St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds

Introduction Hinduism is a religious tradition of Indian origin with approximately 900 million practitioners (Whitman, 2007). One of the oldest religions in the world, probably originated around 1500 BC. Belief in reincarnation, multiple manifestations, the law of cause and effect, morality and liberation from the cycle of births and deaths (Gatrad et al, 2003). There are over half a million Hindus in Great Britain (National Statistics, 2001).

The meaning of life The core concept of meaning of life is virtue, wealth, joy and liberation. Life is categorized as four blocks called bachelorhood, household, simplified life and practitioner of austerity. Four legitimate goals in life are: 1.Dharma (appropriate living) 2.Artha (pursuit of material gain by lawful means) 3.Kama (delight of the senses) 4.Moksha (release from rebirth)

Approaches to pain & suffering Hindus regard pain management as an important duty of caretakers. Nobody should be allowed to die with the feelings of bitterness or the feelings of unfulfilled duties. A Bad death - Violent, premature, and in the wrong place & at the wrong time (Firth, 1997). A good death - In old age, at the right astrological time & in the right place (Parry, 1982).

Withdrawal of treatment A dying person can refuse medication to die with a clear & unclouded mind to view pain as a way of expurgating sin(Firth, 2001). Withdrawal of treatment may vary based on their cultural ideas and practices.

Organ Donation (Veatch, 2000) It is an individual’s decision. No religious law prohibits Hindus from donating their organs and tissues. Life after death is a strong belief of Hindus and is an ongoing process of rebirth.

Blood Transfusion Most Hindus have no objection to blood transfusions (uktransplant.org).

DNAR Concept varies from patient to patient. Some would belief death should occur naturally without prolonging life in terminally ill patient. Others would belief to prolong life as long as they can.

Generalization about Hindu patients at the end of life is difficult because their beliefs and attitudes will depend so much on education and religious tradition. So the practitioner should establish the tradition of each patient.

Any Questions?

Reference Firth S. Dying, death and bereavement in British Hindu community. Leuven, Brussels: Peeters, 1997: 60–62. Firth S. Wider horizons: care of the dying in a multicultural society. London: National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services, 2001: 66–67 Parry J. Sacrificial death and the necrophagous ascetic. In: Block M, Parry J. Death and the regeneration of life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982: 82–83 Rashid Gatrad, Pamela P Choudhury, Erica Brown, Aziz Sheikh; International Journal of Palliative Nursing, Vol 9, No10, Sarah M. Whitman, Pain and suffering as viewed by the Hindu religion; The Journal of Pain, Vol 8, No 8, August 2007: pp Veatch R. Transplantation Ethics. Washington D.C; Georgetown University Press, 2000