ダーナとギフトの思想

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In the United States, the number of organ transplant cases has been rapidly increasing over the past fifteen years. Consequently, there has been a shortage of organs available for transplant operations so various measures have been sought to promote organ donations. For instance, many states have adopted a system where the reverse side of the driver's license functions as a donor card. The license holder along with two witnesses sign the consent making it possible for the license holder to donate his or her organs. Despite such schemes, however,the supply of organs has not met demands. As a result, there were instances where money changed hands to secure organs. Considered unethical, organ sales where eventually banned by law. In The United States, it is considered a moral and worthy act to voluntarily donate one's organs for science. A noticeable contrast to this can be found in Europe where organ donations are done on a contract basis. This reflects cultural-anthropological differences between the U. S. and Europe. In the case of Japan, people have great apprehensions about taking organs from the dead. This is due partly to a cultural background based on Confucianism; and partly to the on-going debate on defining what exactly constitutes "brain death". In addition, the act of giving in Japan has always had the element of mutual exchange; unilateral gift-giving without any form of reciprocation is unthinkable-which makes securing organs for transplant operations much more difficult. Japanese doctors, therefore, are required to call upon the people to donate organs as a gesture of good will. With these differing concepts of gift-giving in mind, taking the example of organ donations, I would like to discuss from a philosophical stand point what it means "to provide"or "to give" to someone. I also intend to expand my discussion to include western notions of "a gift" as a concept compatible with the idea of "charity" and "solidarity". Comparing these with the Buddhist concept of "dana", I would like to discuss "compassion", "bodhisativa-yana" (the way in which to attain enlightment), "dana-paramita" (discipline in training how to impart sacred doctorines to others), "atoma-paritoyaga" (the throwing away of the ego), "the field of good fortune", "repaying kindness" and "veneration". (Incidently, the English word donate stems from the Sanskrit dana.) By comparing these concepts, I would like to discuss methods of giving, the attitudes of those who accept and furthermore, the "things" that are givable and acceptable. By doing so, I hope that I shall be able to clarify the differences between the west and Japan regarding the notion of organ donations.
日本医学哲学・倫理学会の論文
1993-10-01

著者

岡本天晴
防衛医科大学校

ダーナとギフトの思想

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