Spirituality/Medicine Interface Project

Eye on Religion: Considering the Influence of Buddhist and Shinto Thought on Contemporary Japanese Bioethics

Authors: Toshinari Mizuno, MD, MSc, Brian Taylor Slingsby, MPH

Abstract

Religious traditions can play a significant role in the shaping of bioethical thought. In Japan, traditional Buddhist and Shinto thought continue to influence contemporary bioethical perspectives. To better define this relationship, this paper examines the correlation between Japanese bioethical perspectives and Buddhist and Shinto thought. An in-depth discussion explores how Buddhist and Shinto scholars have used fundamental concepts with each religious tradition to agree and disagree with the disclosure of an incurable disease to a patient, brain death, and brain-dead organ transplantation.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Nakamura H, (ed). Bukkyogo daijiten [A dictionary of Buddhist terms]. Tokyo, Tokyo Xhoseki, 1981.
 
2. Hansen W. Shinto and the Japanese attitude toward healing. South Med J 2007;100:118–119.
 
3. Maeda E. Seimeirinri iinkai houkoku [Bioethics committee report]. Indogaku-bukkyogaku kenkyu 1995;41:320–369.
 
4. Shinmura T. Kokuti no rekisi [A history of patient disclosure]. In: Zaitaku-si No Jidai [The Era of Home Death]. Tokyo, Hosei University Press, 2001, pp 151–177.
 
5. Takamura T. Vihara katudo ni okeru taminaru kea [Terminal care in Vihara movement]. In: Jodoshu Honganji-ha Study Group of Vihara Movement (ed). Vihara Undo [Vihara Movement].Kyoto, Honaganji Shuppansha, 1993, pp 157–206.
 
6. Hardacre H. Response of Buddhism and Shinto to the issue of brain death and organ transplant.Camb Q Healthc Ethics 1994;3:585–601.
 
7. Keown D. Buddhism and Death. Buddhism and Bioethics. New York, Palgrave, 1995, pp 144–158.
 
8. Ashikawa H. Noushi, zoukiishoku mondai to bukkyo rinri [Issues of brain death and organ transplant, and Buddhist ethics]. In: Ikeda H, Kiba M, (eds). Shisei-kan To Bukkyo [View of Life and Death, and Buddhism]. Tokyo, Heibonsha, 2000, pp 53–76.
 
9. Senke T. Mada ikasaret iru. [They are still made alive]. In: Yoshida K, (ed). Noushi: Watashi Ha Kou Omou [Brain Death: My Opinion]. Tokyo, Hokuso Shuppansha, 1991, pp 366–372.
 
10. Umehara T. Noushi: Sokuratesu no to ha hantaisuru [Brain death: Socratics are against it]. In:Watashi Ha Zouki Wo Teikyoshinai [I Will Not Be a Donor]. Tokyo, Yousensha, 1992, pp 207–236.
 
11. Fujii M. Zoukiishoku to nihonjin no igaikan [Organ transplant and Japanese view of dead body].Indogaku Bukkyougaku Kenkyu 1990;39:316–323.
 
12. Slingsby BT. The nature of relative subjectivity: a reflexive mode of thought. J Med Philos 2005;30:9–25.
 
13. Nabeshima N. Vihara katudo ni okeru taminaru kea [Terminal care in Vihara movement]. In: Jodoshu Honganji-ha Study Group of Vihara Movement (ed). Vihara Undo [Vihara Movement].Kyoto, Honaganji Shuppansha, 1993, pp 365–366.
 
14. Ogawa I. Noushi zoukiishoku ni tuiteno ichi bukkyouto no shiten [A Buddhist view of brain death and organ transplant]. Indogaku Bukkyougaku Kenkyu 1991;39:338–344.
 
15. Jinja-honcho Kyogaku Kenkyujo [The Association of Shinto Shrines, Research Center], Shinto no Shiseikan: Noushi Mondai To Shinso-sai [Shinto’s View of Life and Death: Issue of Brain Death, and Funerals in Shinto]. Tokyo, Jinja Honcho, 1994.
 
16. Ueda K. Noushishita jiten de reikon ha hataraki wo ushinau [A soul loses its function at the time of brain death]. Jinja-shinpo 1992:2174.
 
17. Tsushiro H. Shinto no shiseikan kara [From the Shinto’s view of life and death]. Komatsu Y, Doi K, (eds). Shukyo To Seimeirinri [Religion and Bioethics]. Kyoto, Nakanishiya, 2006, pp 181–208.
 
18. Morita Y. Takai kannen kara mita zoukiishoku mondai [Issue of organ transplant in terms of the idea of next other world]. Yasukuni May 1, 1992.