從人間佛教的「生命不死」信念論「安樂死」的迷思與解套之方

The Belief of ＂Life Never Dies＂ in Humanistic Buddhism: A Study on the Myth of Euthanasia and Its Resolutions

慧開法師(Venerable Huei Kai)

《《人間佛教叢書》2019星雲大師人間佛教理論實踐研究》 2019 (2020/05) Pp. 268-297

摘要

「安樂死」一詞其實是個錯誤的翻譯，是由日本人翻譯英文“euthanasia＂一字而來，而後為國人所沿用，但是卻嚴重地誤導社會大眾。就實而論，「安樂死」非但不是理想的死法，而且從想法到做法都是錯誤的，因為「安樂死」只是局限於思考如何讓絕症末期病患及早結束「生命難忍的痛苦」與「痛苦難忍的生命」，而完全沒有認知及考慮到「如何開展未來續起的生命」。其實，佛法當中有遠比「安樂死」高明許多的解套法門，透過人間佛教的「生命不死」與「生命永續」信念，以及「往生助念」法門，一者，可以旁助末期病患克服身心上的痛苦；二者，可以引導末期病患發願往生佛國淨土、上生天界或乘願再來；三者，可以協助末期病患（甚至於植物人）安詳地捨報，以圓滿其死亡的尊嚴與品質。

關鍵字

人間佛教 ； 生命不死 ； 生命永續 ； 安樂死 ； 醫師協助的自殺

並列摘要

The Chinese term for ＂euthanasia＂ is anlesi ( 安樂死, lit. ＂death with peace and happiness＂), which is an incorrect translation. It was translated from the English word by the Japanese, and the Chinese adopted it. However, this definition seriously misleads the public. In reality, not only is euthanasia not an exemplary death, but it is also wrong in its approach due to its limited considerations. It concerns itself only with how terminally ill patients can end the ＂unbearable pain in life＂ and ＂unbearable life in pain.＂ It completely disregards or neglects the notion of ＂how to develop a continual life in the future.＂ In fact, there are far better solutions found in the Dharma than in euthanasia. For example, Humanistic Buddhism advocates concepts such as ＂life never dies＂ and ＂life is eternal,＂ and puts into practice ＂assistive chanting upon death.＂ Firstly, this helps terminally ill patients overcome their physical and mental pain. Secondly, it guides terminally ill patients to aspire for rebirth in the buddha's pure lands, heavenly realms, or even rebirth in this world. Thirdly, it assists terminally ill patients (even those in a vegetative state) to make peace and let go. Accordingly, death can be faced with dignity and appropriacy.

並列關鍵字

Humanistic Buddhism ； life never dies ； life is eternal ； euthanasia ； physician-assisted suicide