Question: Should we not strongly encourage everyone to make organ and body donations?
Answer: What is kinder and wiser to do is to offer fair considerations to let individuals personally decide.
Q: Is it not straightforward that such donations are praiseworthy?
A: They are praiseworthy if the donors are truly ready and do not regret their donations.
Q: Is it not so that if one has the aspiration to donate, one will be fine?
A: There are differences between aspirations (愿力) and abilities (能力) – one might be willing but not capable.
Q: How can one not be capable when willing?
A: The experience of dying for the average person is quite painful and traumatic, never experienced before, what more with cutting of the body.
Q: How would one feel pain if the consciousness has already left the body?
A: The average person is much more attached to one’s body than expected, and does not leave immediately.
Q: Is dying not already painful by default anyway?
A: It need not be if one practises Nianfo (mindfulness of the name of Amituofo) well; it can even be blissful.
Q: If I practise Nianfo, would it not solve the problem of pain during donation?
A: This is provided that you have already practised Nianfo well enough before meeting the knife.
Q: What if I have a high threshold of pain and am willing to suffer?
A: The pain from being cut deeply has yet to be felt, while it will be magnified by nine times.
Q: But how can one reach Amituofo’s Pure Land without being generous?
A: The key criteria for birth in Pure Land are Faith, Aspiration and Practice, which do not require bodily donations.
Q: What is the worst that can happen if I donate anyway?
A: A negative thought as a last thought before rebirth upon feeling pain, anger and such can lead to a negative rebirth.
Q: What if I am willing to take the risk?
A: You should weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Q: What are some other considerations?
A: If you wish to more easily practise greater generosity in the long run, you should ensure that you reach Amituofo’s Pure Land safely.
Q: How does reaching Pure Land make it easier?
A: You will definitely be able to swiftly train to be a great Bodhisattva capable of giving many lives and limbs with total ease!
Q: Why wait when I can already donate my organs and body in this life?
A: You will have to decide if it is being short-sighted, to miss the big picture.
Q: How might it be short-sighted?
A: Do you wish to risk giving one set of donations well with difficulty, or secure your future for giving countless more donations with ease?
Q: What if I still wish to donate when I die?
A: You should practise Nianfo well then, as sincerely and diligently as you can.
Q: What benchmarks of practice should I strive for?
A: You should practise for the ability to connect to Amituofo swiftly while forgoing attachment to your body, even when very sick and in pain.
Q: Are there any other points to note?
A: The detailed points in the 2 articles below should be mindfully considered too…
Related Articles
Should Pure Land Practitioners Donate Their Organs & Bodies?
https://purelanders.com/2015/09/01/should-pure-land-practitioners-donate-their-organs-bodies
HOTA (Human Organ Transplant Act): Opt-In Or Opt-Out?
https://purelanders.com/2015/09/01/hota-human-organ-transplant-act-opt-in-or-opt-out
