Expert: Bodhicitta - 5/16/2007

Question
Hello, i would like to ask your opinion on tibetan buddhisms beliefs regarding organ donation. Also could you briefly explain what the traditional beliefs are regarding the transitory period after death prior to reincarnation.

thank you.

Dana


Answer
Hi Dana
The issue you raise is a complex one. There have been
many discussions in Buddhist groups, inter-Buddhist discussions and interfaith groups on this matter. All of
which would indicate that there is a range of positions
on the question within Buddhism. Even within any one Buddhist school that might be different opinions.

So I think the interesting question is why should there
not be a clear position on this and other ethical positions
within Buddhism, when there are clear positions within
other faith systems?

Well Buddhism really is a path of training. A path to enlightenment. You can use its methods to train yourself
in skill, wisdom and compassion. A long the way you
are training, and you have learner plates on your back.
You will make mistakes. Buddhism isn't a set of rules
or prescriptive. It is a system of training.

So there are many issues in life which are far from clear
ethically. In fact according to Buddhism the consequences
or karmic effect of all our actions are far from clear.
They have far reaching implications. We act unskillfully
all the time and we suffer the consequences accordingly,
as do others we are connected to. How can we act skillfully? Well we must train oursleves using a path of training in meditation.

We must always do the best we can. If we have a decision.
We could gather as much information as we can. We should
weigh up the information. We could discuss it with our
Buddhist teachers and medical experts. We could meditate
and see how we feel. We then should make the best decision
we can. We should think that what we do, we do in order
to help all beings that suffer. This is the perfect motivation  according to Tibetan Buddhism.

The transitory period following death is called the BARDO.
The world simply means gap. There are BARDOS in many parts
of our life, not just in death. For example between
being awake and falling asleep. The gaps are interesting,
as in these gaps we are not clinging to existence. In these gaps we could realise enlightenment if we have
trained correctly in life. For most of us who have not
trained in this life, the gap is just so quick and closed off, we might
experience nothing at all - just like falling asleep.
So the answer is to meditate in life, so you can see the gaps!

Bodhicitta vira