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Enlightened Giving: The Organ Donation

Mrunal Dupte

I'm about to take you on a rollercoaster ride through my life - a journey that's been anything but ordinary. I'm not just any daughter; I'm the daughter of an organ donor. And let me tell you, that this title comes with its own set of challenges and revelations.


Just last month, my mother made the incredible decision to donate her kidney to my maternal uncle—a plan she had been preparing for over a year. While she and I stood resolute, driven by love and compassion, the emotional weight of this journey had been building within me all that time.


Picture this: You're trying to navigate life, and suddenly, you're hit with a tsunami of opinions, judgments, and raised eyebrows.


Everyone telling you how this is the wrong step for your family. It's like everyone's got something to say about your family's decision.


But this storm of criticism didn't break me. Instead, it became the forge that shaped my understanding of Buddhist principles.


Now, I know what you're thinking. "Buddhism? What's that got to do with organ donation?"


Well, The teachings of Buddha became my lifeline, my compass in this chaotic journey. They didn't just help me survive; they helped me thrive.


Through Buddhism, I discovered a whole new perspective on donation. It's not just about giving away a part of your body. It's about compassion, about interconnectedness, about the profound impact one person can have on countless lives.


So, here I am, ready to share my story with you. But this isn't just about me. It's about you too. It's about all of us. Because of the lessons I've learned. They're universal. They're powerful. And I believe, with every fiber of my being, that they can change the way we think about organ donation.



We often think we're being generous when we give money, food, or even offer someone a place to stay. But let's be real for a moment - how does that compare to giving a part of yourself, literally?


Donating an organ isn't just a decision you make on a whim. It's a journey, and extremely a tough one. From the moment the thought crosses your mind, you're in for a ride.


There are appointments to make from cardiologists to psychologists, tests to undergo, and a whole lot of waiting. It's not just physically demanding; it takes a toll on you mentally too.


And here's the kicker - while you're going through all of this, you've got to deal with people's opinions. Everyone suddenly becomes an expert and often doctors too on what you should do with your body. Family members, friends, and even random folks on the street seem to have something to say. It's like you're under a microscope, and every decision you make is scrutinized.


But If someone's determined enough, they can push through all that, right? Well, yes and no. The donor might have the willpower of a superhero, but what about their family? Imagine watching your loved one go through this process, knowing the risks involved. It's not easy.


So why do families often push back against organ donation? Is it just fear? Lack of understanding? Or is there something deeper at play?


This isn't just a medical issue - it's a deep-rooted social crisis that's costing lives every single day. And who better to shed light on such profound social issues than the Buddha himself, through his timeless teachings in the Dhammavaccana?


IGNORANCE

Ignorance, known as avijja in Buddhist teachings, lies at the very heart of human suffering.


The Buddha described ignorance not as a mere lack of information, but as a profound delusion that clouds our perception of reality.


To be ignorant, in the Buddha's words, is to be misled, misguided, deluded, or asleep - unable to see things as they truly are. This fundamental misunderstanding permeates our existence, distorting our views of self, impermanence, and the true causes of happiness and suffering.

It's not simply that we don't know - it's that we don't know that we don't know.

According to the Anusaya sutta of the Anguttara Nikāya, this ignorance runs deep, persisting as latent tendencies (anusaya) that can lie dormant in the mind for countless lifetimes until they are finally uprooted through enlightenment.


The Buddha identified ignorance as one of seven latent dispositions that subtly influence our thoughts and actions.


Even more significantly, he named it as the last of ten mental fetters (samyojana) that bind beings to the cycle of rebirth and suffering. Like heavy chains, these fetters keep us shackled to samsara, preventing our liberation until they are gradually broken through spiritual progress.


In the realm of organ donation, our understanding is often shrouded in a veil of ignorance, shackled by mental fetters and deep-seated latent tendencies. This fog of unawareness gives birth to a tangled web of misinterpretations, misjudgments, and misinformation, creating formidable barriers to what could be life-saving acts of generosity.


According to recent data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), nearly 103,886 people worldwide are waiting for organ transplants.


In India, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) reports that over 49,745 individuals are on the waiting list. Despite India’s massive population of 1.44 billion, we struggle to find enough donors for just 50,000 people. Excluding those over 65 and children, there remains a significant portion of the population that could potentially donate, yet the donor numbers remain critically low.


India's organ donation rate is a pitiful 0.01 percent. That's not a typo - it's that low. Every single year, a staggering 200,000 people in India lose their lives to liver diseases. Why? Because they can't find a donor.


Consider the misconceptions that plague this noble cause:

"We are given organs for a reason, why should we donate them while we're alive?"

"The lifespan of live donors decreases."

"This is a very risky procedure for donors."


However...


A study in the University of Pennsylvania found out the organ donation is safer than being born in the USA.


Moreover the risk of death for living kidney donors is extremely low, estimated at only 0.03%. That is out of 80,000 the chances are lower than 24. Organ donation is generally considered a safe procedure when performed by experienced medical professionals


A study done by Fehrman-Ekholm, Elinder, Stenbeck, Tyden and Groth in 1997, found that kidney donors actually had better survival rates compared to the general population. After 20 years of follow-up, 85% of donors were alive, compared to an expected survival rate of 66% in the general population. This indicates survival was 29% better in the donor group.


The data speaks volumes: choosing to become an organ donor isn't just safe - it might be one of the safest and most meaningful decisions you ever make.


COMPASSION

Compassion, or "karuna," holds a central place in Buddha's teachings, being considered essential for both personal and collective well-being.


Buddha advocated for a universal form of compassion that extends to all beings, regardless of their relationship to us. This perspective is based on the recognition that all beings desire happiness and wish to avoid suffering.





From the Vinaya Pitaka, Cullavagga v.6, Buddha teaches a verse on universal compassion:


Creatures without feet have my love,

And likewise those that have two feet,

And those that have four feet I love,

And those, too, that have many feet.

 

May those without feet harm me not,

And those with two feet cause no hurt.

May those with four feet harm me not,

Nor those who many feet possess.

 

Let creatures all, all things that live,

All beings of whatever kind,

See nothing that will bode them ill!

May naught of evil come to them!


The Buddha, who till his final breath carried the essence of loving-kindness and compassion, implored us to follow in his footsteps. Yet, as we stand in the present, we must ask ourselves: How far have we strayed from this noble path?


Every day - yes, every single day - 17 people die because there aren't enough organ donors. In 2020, only about 39,000 organ transplants were performed in India. Sounds like a lot, right? Wrong. The actual need is at least 15 times that number. We're talking about over half a million people who desperately need transplants but can't get them.


According to Buddhist philosophy, compassion is not merely a passive feeling but an active state of mind aimed at alleviating the suffering of others.


In 2023, a shocking incident unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district that'll make you question the depths of human cruelty.


A woman, driven by love and compassion, donates her kidney to save her dying brother's life. A selfless act, right? Well, her husband didn't think so. This man, working in Saudi Arabia, had the audacity to demand she extort a whopping Rs 40 lakh from her ailing brother in exchange for her kidney!


But here's where it gets even more twisted. When this brave woman refused to commodify her act of love, her husband's response was nothing short of despicable. With a few taps on his phone, he pronounced the dreaded 'triple talaq' over a WhatsApp call, effectively divorcing her on the spot.


This isn't just a one-off incident. It's the tip of a very large, very troubling iceberg. Across the country, countless potential donors are being pressured, guilted, and even threatened into backing out of their decision to donate. And it's not just about live donations either.


Even after death, when you'd think it wouldn't matter anymore, people are still hesitant to donate their organs. Can you believe it? We're talking about a chance to save lives even after we're gone, and yet, so many are saying NO.


A 2011 study in Scotland found that some people who didn't donate organs reported an "ick" factor as a basic disgust response to the idea of organ transplantation.


In the profound tapestry of Buddhist thought, organ donation emerges as a radiant thread, weaving together the highest ideals of compassion and loving-kindness. It stands as a beacon of hope in our often disconnected world, illuminating the path to true selflessness and interconnectedness.


This supreme act of generosity - the gift of life itself - transcends the boundaries of the self, embodying the purest form of Dana.


In a world where individualism often reigns supreme, organ donation serves as a powerful reminder of our fundamental interconnectedness, a truth too often forgotten in the rush of modern life.


By choosing to donate, we become instruments of healing, directly alleviating the suffering of others - a core tenet of Buddhist practice.


This profound act teaches us the liberating power of non-attachment, freeing us from the constraints of our physical form and allowing our essence to live on through others.


Perhaps most powerfully, organ donation offers us a chance to walk in the footsteps of the Bodhisattvas. In the Mahayana tradition, these enlightened beings dedicate themselves wholly to the welfare of all sentient creatures. By giving a part of ourselves to save another, we echo this noble aspiration, taking a significant step on the path to becoming Bodhisattvas ourselves.


In this simple yet profound act, we find the opportunity to transcend our individual existence, to touch the lives of others in the most meaningful way possible. It is a testament to the enduring power of compassion, a beacon of hope in a world that so desperately needs it. Through organ donation, we not only save lives but also elevate our own spiritual journey, embodying the highest ideals of Buddhist thought and practice.


Is it possible to embody compassion, impermanence, non-attachment, and detach from ignorance?


Absolutely, the answer is a resounding YES. It is entirely possible to overcome defilements and embody compassion, impermanence, and non-attachment. The Buddha not only identified defilements but also provided a comprehensive masterplan to eradicate them.


Central to this transformative journey are wisdom and right mindfulness, which serve as the essential pillars to facilitate this profound change.


There are three kinds of wisdom (Paññā):


  • Wisdom produced by hearing (Sutamaya Paññā)

  • Wisdom produced by reflection (Cintāmaya Paññā)

  • Wisdom produced by cultivation (Bhāvanamaya Paññā)


You can develop this by reading about organ donations, hearing podcasts and stories that have transformed the lives and finally by cultivating the principles that comes with Vippassan and meditation.


Right-Mindfulness, or Samma Sati, is your compass on this journey. It's a powerful tool that cuts through the noise of everyday life, allowing you to peel back the layers of habitual thoughts and emotions.


This skillful practice enables you to dive beneath the turbulent surface of your experiences, guiding you to the still waters of truth that lie beneath.


IF BUDDHA WERE ALIVE TODAY...


The Buddha's teachings exemplify the pinnacle of compassion and wisdom, seamlessly blending empathetic action with profound self-awareness. This powerful combination of outward compassion and inward mindfulness has the potential to catalyze a deep personal transformation.


Given the Buddha's emphasis on alleviating suffering and his teachings on non-attachment to the physical body, it's reasonable to infer that he would have supported organ donation as a compassionate act. Had organ donation been possible during his time, the Buddha likely would have not only endorsed the practice but also offered his own organs to help others. This aligns with his core teachings of selflessness and working for the benefit of all sentient beings.


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