1. Organ Transplantation from a Theravada Buddhist Perspective Soraj Hongladarom Department of Philosophy, Chulalongkorn University

2. Outline of Talk Current situation in Thailand on organ transplantation. Current situation in Thailand on organ transplantation. Main question: How one finds a Buddhist solution to the ethical problem arising from it. Main question: How one finds a Buddhist solution to the ethical problem arising from it. A step beyond ‘secular’ and ‘traditional’ ethics. A step beyond ‘secular’ and ‘traditional’ ethics. This means Buddhism is re-interpreted under the new light. This means Buddhism is re-interpreted under the new light.

3. Current Situation in Thailand The Thai Medical Council has a rather strict rule for pronouncing brain-death, which is similar to that found in the West. The Thai Medical Council has a rather strict rule for pronouncing brain-death, which is similar to that found in the West. However, the people in general do not disapprove of brain death criteria. But when the person is their own close relative, then they do not seem to be that consistent. However, the people in general do not disapprove of brain death criteria. But when the person is their own close relative, then they do not seem to be that consistent.

4. A Current Affair A famous teenage singer had a road accident and fell into a ditch full of dirty water. At first he recovered well from his external injuries, but later suffered from a severe headache. A famous teenage singer had a road accident and fell into a ditch full of dirty water. At first he recovered well from his external injuries, but later suffered from a severe headache. It was found that his brain was infected by a rare form of fungus and fell into coma. It was found that his brain was infected by a rare form of fungus and fell into coma. The doctors tried to save his life through repeated (5 times at the latest count) brain surgery. The doctors tried to save his life through repeated (5 times at the latest count) brain surgery.

5. Current Affair (contd.) His situation resulted in a flood of teeagers from all over the nation to the hospital where he stayed. A ‘fan club’ spontaneously emerged aiming to give moral support to the singer. His situation resulted in a flood of teeagers from all over the nation to the hospital where he stayed. A ‘fan club’ spontaneously emerged aiming to give moral support to the singer. The doctors; however, said that the singer’s brain was eaten away so much by the fungus that at best he would be a ‘sleeping prince’ if he survived. The doctors; however, said that the singer’s brain was eaten away so much by the fungus that at best he would be a ‘sleeping prince’ if he survived.

6. The Singer Affair (contd.) Nonetheless, this seemed to give reassurance to the singer’s fans in that they believed that he was still ‘alive.’ Nonetheless, this seemed to give reassurance to the singer’s fans in that they believed that he was still ‘alive.’ Right now he was in a stable condition. Latest news was that he was out of the ICU, was able to breathe by himself sometimes. Right now he was in a stable condition. Latest news was that he was out of the ICU, was able to breathe by himself sometimes. The doctors said they might be able to put his skull back to him some time soon. The doctors said they might be able to put his skull back to him some time soon.

7. The doctors and the singer’s parents had a slim hope (I don’t know if they were realistic or not) that the singer might one day be able to get up and sing for the Thai teenagers again.

8. What does this tell us? When asked about a person in abstract, an average Thai may not object to the brain death criteria. When asked about a person in abstract, an average Thai may not object to the brain death criteria. But when the person is a well known personality, such as a teenage singer, or most importantly their own loved ones, then he or she starts to think otherwise. But when the person is a well known personality, such as a teenage singer, or most importantly their own loved ones, then he or she starts to think otherwise. However, when the person lies in the comatose stage for a long period of time, then the people start to change their minds. However, when the person lies in the comatose stage for a long period of time, then the people start to change their minds.

9. Attitudes toward Transplantation Thai attitudes toward transplantation also are interesting. Thai attitudes toward transplantation also are interesting. In the past, the Red Cross Society had to convince people that donating their cornea after their death would not mean that they’d be born blind in the next life. In the past, the Red Cross Society had to convince people that donating their cornea after their death would not mean that they’d be born blind in the next life. Recently a novel in Thailand was published dealing with the negative effects of cloning and transplantation. Recently a novel in Thailand was published dealing with the negative effects of cloning and transplantation.

10. Attitudes (contd.) The Vajiraprakarn Hospital case: The Vajiraprakarn Hospital case: Doctors harvesting a kidney from a patient suffering from road accident without his consent or knowledge. The patient later died from the injuries suffered from the accident, but his relatives found out later that his kidney was missing. The Medical Council found the doctors guilty and revoked their license. The head of the team had a lot of business investment in the hospital. Doctors harvesting a kidney from a patient suffering from road accident without his consent or knowledge. The patient later died from the injuries suffered from the accident, but his relatives found out later that his kidney was missing. The Medical Council found the doctors guilty and revoked their license. The head of the team had a lot of business investment in the hospital.

11. Attitudes It seems that for Thai people, harvesting organs would be generally all right if the person has clearly indicated his or her wish through wills or consent forms. It seems that for Thai people, harvesting organs would be generally all right if the person has clearly indicated his or her wish through wills or consent forms. But the issue becomes very serious when there are business motives involved. But the issue becomes very serious when there are business motives involved.

12. Toward an Asian Element in Bioethics Since Asia is a very large continent, it is very difficult to find some elements that are common to all parts. Since Asia is a very large continent, it is very difficult to find some elements that are common to all parts. As for Thailand, I would propose that one looks at Buddhism, since most people are Buddhists. The idea is that people of other religions can find their own elements from their respective religions. Only that the norms should come out more or less congruent. As for Thailand, I would propose that one looks at Buddhism, since most people are Buddhists. The idea is that people of other religions can find their own elements from their respective religions. Only that the norms should come out more or less congruent.

13. Buddhism and Transplantation According to Theravada Buddhism, the body is just matter. It needs to be washed regularly otherwise it becomes very smelly - “a bag of shit.” According to Theravada Buddhism, the body is just matter. It needs to be washed regularly otherwise it becomes very smelly - “a bag of shit.” The aim is to transcend the body through meditation and understanding of the Dhamma. The aim is to transcend the body through meditation and understanding of the Dhamma. Thus at first sight there does not seem to be a serious objection to brain death or organ transplantation. Thus at first sight there does not seem to be a serious objection to brain death or organ transplantation.

14. Buddhism and Transplantation However, as the singer’s case illustrates, people are not detached from the belief that the body is the person too easily. However, as the singer’s case illustrates, people are not detached from the belief that the body is the person too easily. And one might see the other side of the issue: Why should the potential organ recipients want it so much, since it’s all bags of shit any way? And one might see the other side of the issue: Why should the potential organ recipients want it so much, since it’s all bags of shit any way?

15. Is it a selfish act to get organs from somebody so that one can live longer, only to enjoy the material elements of life? In the end this decides whether organ transplantation is unethical according to Theravada Buddhism.