THE ART OF DYING

Bhagwan Mahavira placed as much emphasis on the art of dying as of living. Every living creature has to go through the cycle of life and death. Mahavira pointed out that humans have a unique opportunity to transform this routine into an enlightened process. He preached the importance and benefits of living with restraint and dying in peace.

Death frightens every human being. Although death is understood as an inescapable final event of life, most people are not usually ready to face and accept it. Even when the body becomes frail and the faculties begin failing and death is imminent, the desire to live remains strong. Extraordinary efforts are made to delay, if not shun death. But the truth is ultimately all life must succumb to this destiny. If death is a certainty, why should dying not be made an art?

Progressing towards self-realization: Sanlekhana

It is natural for people to be delighted when their sensual desires are realized, but such joy is temporary since the next craving may already be sprouting! Such pleasures cannot bring true happiness, which can only come from the satisfaction of giving up or resisting things for which one typically yearns. Curbing desires also imparts the strength needed to gain control over mind and body. This slow yet steady process can lead to a state where one can recognize the true "self" despite the usual worldly distractions.

By limiting desires, a person enters a calm phase before death. In Jain scriptures, this period is called Sanlekhana. This is the time to contemplate the past as well as the present, with the understanding that the imprints of the past can be seen in the present, and that the present will be carried over to the future. This is the time to think over the purpose of life.

Sanlekhana helps one to become detached physically by limiting food intake and emotionally by letting go of the attachment of relationships. Eventually, Sanlekhana leads one to self-realization which is the right path to a peaceful and dignified death. 

State of self realization: Santhara

In Jain philosophy, Sanlekhana is a prerequisite for Santhara - a unique way of dying. Santhara means voluntarily and consciously giving up everything that sustains life until the end comes, without regret. One of the three auspicious aspirations prescribed for monks as well as lay people in Jain scriptures is "concentrate on completely detaching the self from physical attachments". The objective is to enter a state of samadhi (deep meditation) before achieving an ideal death.

Santhara must be differentiated from suicide. Santhara is not suicide. Instead, it is self attainment. Intense passion and emotion are inherent in suicide, which is often attributed to severe frustrations and depression. It is an indiscreet and hasty step taken by the desperate who have reached a state of hopelessness and despair. On the contrary, Santhara is the final thoughtful act of life, conducted with full awareness, without passion and with no desire to live or die during the process. This is the state of becoming truly immersed within and amounts to a spiritual "Celebration".

Why should Santhara be observed? Jain scriptures clearly state that " Santhara should not be observed for worldly fame or with the intent of a better next life. The purpose should not be seeking death but looking for the road that makes death a fulfillment. Santhara is indicated when one wishes to conclude life with supreme peace." 

What is the right time for Santhara? Naturally the body should be nourished as long as it is capable of meeting the basic necessities of life and occupying itself in meaningful spiritual practices. When a person realizes his strength is decreasing, his senses are weakening, and when there is little prospect of recovery from disease or aging, despite appropriate treatment, Santhara becomes an option. Nevertheless, it should be embraced with courage and only after much deliberation.

Sanlekhana is the first and Santhara the final step in the art of dying. Artistic living mush incorporate the philosophy of dying. A voluntary end makes one fearless and blissful till the last moment.

Views of Acharya Mahashraman from "LIFE, Twelve Golden Principles for Holistic Living"