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By Chirag Patel Current Affairs Officer
On November 28th 2009 NHSF (UK) attended a conference aimed at increasing organ donation within the Hindu Community. The conference was held by the Organ Donation Campaign and was attended by various different Hindu organisations from around the UK.
It is claimed by some that Hindu Dharma would not permit organ donation, but scriptures and historical evidence tell a different story:
As a person puts on new garments, giving up the old ones. The soul similarly accepts new material bodies giving up the old and useless ones.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 22
Therefore the body is just clothing for the true soul. When we die we lose all attachment from the body and further more we can donate our organs to help save and change the lives of others. Changing the lives of others is Dharmic duty in itself, through the act of Sewa.
Further from the Gita quote above, it is claimed that Sage Sushrut, who is the father of Cosmetic & Transplant Surgery, and has been mentioned to carry out transplantation of organs around the year 1000 BCE. This suggests that Hindus have been donating organs for thousands of years, and history does not show a true recollection of when Hindu culture changed. Sage Sushruts transplant from 1000 BCE completely outdates the worlds first known transplant which was a kidney transplant on June 17, 1950.
NHSF (UK) supports the work of the organ donation campaign and is asking its members and the wider Hindu community to sign up to become an organ donor. If you are placed on the organ list, your organs will only be used once you have passed away. This act of Sewa surely falls in line with every Hindus Dharmic duty to mankind.
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