Core beliefs
Buddhists follow a path towards enlightenment through meditation, prayers and kindness to others. This is an ancient Eastern belief that follows the example of Buddha, a wandering holy man who led a simple life, seeking answers to explain the meaning of life, suffering and death. Buddhists very consciously aim to become more self-aware and altruistic people, believing that the consequences of one’s actions in life accumulate (Karma). Many Buddhists believe in rebirth. Buddhism has a tradition of mystics, thinkers and devotional followers with ancient wisdom make relevant for modern times.
Buddhists come from different lineages and schools which follow different traditions. Most Buddhists in the UK have adopted a Buddhist way of life, whilst those from the Far East are likely to be born into Buddhist families and communities.
Useful questions you might ask about this are:
- What is their Buddhist tradition or school? As an example, are they from the Thai Forest (Theravada), Pure Land (Mahayana) or Nyingma (Vajrayana) tradition?
- What is their cultural ethnicity? Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese etc.
- Do they specifically require a monk or a nun?
- Is there a family or community member who can offer further faith advice?
Buddhists come from different lineages and schools which follow different traditions. Most Buddhists in the UK have adopted a Buddhist way of life, whilst those from the Far East are likely to be born into Buddhist families and communities.
It is important to establish what tradition of Buddhism is being followed, for example, Hinayana (Zen), Mahayana (Zen and some Tantrics), Vajrayana/Tantric. In the Vajrayana/Tantric tradition, contact with the patient’s Buddhist teacher (maybe called Sangha or Guru) is of the utmost importance and every effort should be made to involve them.
Buddhists may be used to regular devotions and will appreciate calm and quietness so that can meditate or chant mantras. They may well observe mindfulness, concentrating on being present in the here and now. At home they may have a small shrine where they can make offerings or light a candle.
A statue of Buddha must be treated with respect and carefully lifted from below. Any holy scriptures should not be placed on the floor or have anything placed on top of them. Buddhists may hold a string of beads (Mala) or have a picture of their teacher close. Texts and images will vary depending on the tradition specific (for example images of Buddha will vary).
Buddhists aim to do no harm and therefore may have reservations about terminations. Some may be concerned about treatments that arise from animal experimentation or degradation of the environment.
Buddhists may appreciate anything that can be done to create a calm and peaceful space where they can meditate. Contact with their community and with their teacher is likely to be reassuring and comforting.
Buddhists may decline treatments that affects their consciousness. They may well focus on their holistic wellbeing, not just their physical health.
Lay Buddhists have no specific dress conventions. Buddhists remove their shoes for worship. Buddhist monks and nuns wear sacred robes and have shaved heads; the connection with their robes is significant and if they are removed they need to be handled with care and respect.
Buddhists probably prefer showers to baths as running water takes away the uncleanliness. There may be variations according to Buddhist tradition or place of origin.
Buddhist special days are mostly linked to the lunar calendar and the Buddha’s life course. The days will vary according to the Buddhist tradition and may involve visits to the Temple or other celebrations or meditations
Buddhist monks and nuns, and some lay Buddhists, may prefer same gender care.
Different Buddhist traditions may have particular traditions around childbearing and birth.
Buddhists will be seeking clarity of mind as they prepare for death with the goal of dying with a peaceful mind. This means that they may decline drugs that reduce their consciousness. They may appreciate hearing Buddhist scriptures or having a statue of Buddha within view. They may ask for the support of their spiritual leader to help them to enter the death process with pure heart and mind, calm and fully conscious. Their Buddhist community may wish to chant or meditate at the bedside as the end draws near so ideally space should be found for this custom.
When a Buddhist is declared clinically dead, the body should be left in peace for at least an hour. No part of the body should be touched, especially the feet.The belief is that consciousness or the mind remains in the body for a while, finally leaving through the crown of the head, which is the only part of the body that should touched. Placing a hand or the Mala beads on the top of the head can assist the mind in leaving the body. Their spiritual teacher should be informed immedicably when a Buddhist dies so that prayers can be said (in person or at a distance). Given that consciousness may leave the body some time after death, decisions about organ donation will be an individual choice.
Buddhists are mostly, but not necessarily, vegetarian or vegan. They may prefer home remedies and recipes during illness and convalenscnece. Some Buddhists avoid garlic and onions at certain times. Lay and ordained Buddhists may fast during the lunar calendar.
Buddhism places a strong emphasis on community and friendship, mentoring and spiritual connection. There are very strong bonds within a Buddhist community.
Buddhists may prefer you to remove your shoes when you visit their home. There will be a shrine and they may make offerings to assist in their healing.
Some Buddhists may see disability as a condition arising from bad deeds in a previous life, but others will think about disability as a part of the natural decay of the human body.