Health and Social Care

Please note it is essential to check with each patient/client about their individual requirements.

Peace and quiet for meditation and chanting would be appreciated and they will also welcome visits from other Buddhists

There are no special requirements relating to food. However, many are vegetarians because of their respect for all life.

There are a number of days when a Buddhist may wish to fast, generally occurring at the time of a New moon or a Full Moon. On such days, eating is required at regular times. If a patient wishes to undertake a fast, staff should discuss needs and any medical problems with the patient and their family and make appropriate catering provision.

As for all men and women. There are no special points to be noted in this area, but there may be cultural needs. Ordained nuns and monks wear different coloured robes depending on the tradition they are from.

Normally Buddhists disapprove of any method of family planning, seeing the size of a family as dictated by destiny. If a couple do resort to family planning, it should be a method which does not endanger the development of the baby if conception does take place.

Before the birth, the parents would visit the temple to receive blessings from Sangha. When the baby is born, it is taken to the temple to receive such blessings. The monks at the temple may be consulted for suitable names for the child. Sometimes when a baby is about a month old its head is shaved and a sacred thread is tied around its wrists. 

No religious objections.

Normally no religious objection as helping others is fundamental to Buddhist belief. Some Far Eastern Buddhists may object.

All Buddhist traditions condemn abortion, which is seen as a much greater wrong than family planning.

A SIDE ROOM IS ESSENTIAL

Buddhists believe that the physical body comes to an end but life energies carry on with some change into a new life.

Buddhists would like to have very full information about their imminent death to enable them to make their own preparation for death.

Buddhists consider that dying is a very important part of life and that it should be approached positively and in as clear and conscious state of mind as possible. This may mean a reduction of certain types of medication and the patient should be fully involved and consulted at all stages. It is normally appreciated if staff will discuss the patient's imminent demise in an open, honest and frank manner.

There is a particular need for a Buddhist priest from the patient's own tradition to be contacted in the case of death. It would be good practice to obtain a contact name and telephone number from the patient or family on admission.

A priest from the patient's tradition should be contacted as soon as possible and the body should not be moved too much before the priest arrives.

Depending on the tradition, prayers could take an hour. It is possible that the priest will decide to recite prayers where he is or in a temple rather than come to the ward. In this case, last offices can continue as normal.

Normal Procedures are usually acceptable, but check with family.

No religious objections.

Generally, cremation is preferred. Ceremonies vary according to cultural circumstances. Following cremation, the ashes are usually scattered in a garden or buried.

In the Tibetan tradition the body can be kept for up to 49 days while prayers for the deceased are said.

Relatives often arrange for a memorial service at home or in the temple after the death and then on an annual basis. Gifts of books, money or other things required by the temple in memory of their departed are appreciated.