Out of all the religions in the world, Buddhism is the fourth largest. It encompasses several branches of thought such as Theravada, Zen, and Mahayana, and provides essential teachings on the nature of reality, as well as a methodical approach involving practices that allow its followers to experience a deeper meaning to reality and life for themselves. Buddhists seek refuge in The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The Buddha refers to Siddhārtha Gautama, an Indian prince who lived over a millennium ago and discovered the middle path to enlightenment. The Dharma are his teachings, and the Sangha is the Buddhist Community. “Taking Refuge” means to choose to turn to these three pillars of support as the ultimate answer to everything. Religious scripture and beliefs regarding theism differ between schools of thought, but all Buddhists try to live their lives by the Eight-Fold Path and believe in the Four Noble Truths.
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| Statue located at Tu Vien Kim Son Monastery, in Watsonville Californa. Located at the summit of Mt. Madonna |
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is generally supported by the Buddhist community, since it does not break any of Dharma and seems to benefit all parties involved. This medical procedure could enable a couple to have a child they may not otherwise have, and since Buddhists generally believe it is a privilege to be born as a human being and thus be given the opportunity to achieve enlightenment, it is considered a compassionate act. However, there are some that would counter that Buddhists who are not able to have children should accept this as fact instead since the Dharma does not list children as a need or requirement, hence couples may be turning to IVF as a result of craving to have children. Craving is believed to lead to suffering, and suffering hinders the human path to enlightenment.
Another concern a small percentage of Buddhists may have regarding IVF is that it may equate treatments involving a third party to adultery, which breaks the third Precept forbidding sexual misconduct. Many Buddhists, however, do not believe this to be true, since advances in technology have removed any semblance of the sexual aspects, and eliminates unneeded desire between the donor and the couple. It is actually seen as an example of loving kindness by the donor to end a childless couple suffering, and is thus seen as a commendable act.
More Buddhists are apprehensive regarding the fact that multiple embryos are usually created by the procedure, and there is a chance that the unused embryos may be destroyed once pregnancy has been achieved. This goes against the First Precept of not taking innocent life since many are believers that life begins at conception. Others still see it as a crime to destroy even potential life, especially those of human beings. Therefore, many Buddhists choose to freeze the unused embryos to possibly use later, otherwise, they elect to donate the embryos or sperm to needing families as an act of metta, which is the Buddhist virtue of loving kindness.
Buddhism is a religion founded on quiet reflection and personal findings. Aside from the core followings, everyone is expected to study and learn for themselves on this spiritual path. Consequently, this sometimes leads to several viewpoints and answers to important questions. The Buddha himself is believed to have pushed the importance of coming to your beliefs yourself, instead of being lead to them and forced to follow, and a healthy Buddhist will think on these and similar predicaments and ask themselves “why” before deciding on a certain set of values. That is what makes this such an interesting worthy topic of debate, and why there are no wholly agreed upon rules regarding this foray into the new world of fertility treatments.
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