This study entitled "Hinduism and Abortion: A Traditional View" outlines what the Hindu Smriti and Shruti texts have to contribute in the abortion debate. It is important to consider what an ancient tradition, Hinduism, has to contribute with regard to a modern controversy. The study undertakes a cursory look at bioethics and then proceeds to examine the Hindu world view and the Hindu view of the unborn. The important Hindu teachings with regard to dharma, kama, the ashrama dharma system, the samskaras and karma and reincarnation are considered in some detail. The unborn is considered not only in terms of its embryological development but also in terms of its social and spiritual significance. This study concludes that Hinduism is opposed to abortion except in certain very specific circumstances, for example, severe congenital abnormalities in the foetus, where the continued pregnancy is life-threatening for the mother, rape and incest. The traditional Hindu standpoint is pro-life and the Hindu scriptures provide a comprehensive and multi-faceted argument against abortion. The foetus is considered sacrosanct from the moment of conception. The view arrived at in this study is that the foetus is a person with rights, and abortion is a violation of those rights. Abortion is considered to be murder. An important and salient contribution from a Hindu perspective is the fact that the foetus is a bio-psycho-socio-cosmological and spiritual being and as such the abortion debate transcends individual ethics thus raising important social and cosmological concerns. Hinduism has much to contribute to the abortion debate and many of the Hindu teachings cited in the study are relevant for today. Celibacy, the Hindu view that the sexual act ought to be seen as a deeply spiritual act, the emphasis on the Ashrama Dharma system and ahimsa are important principles that need to be emphasized to face the challenges of the increasing demand for abortions. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Advances in technology and medicine have greatly impacted on religious thought and have contributed to a large extent in bringing to the fore questions regarding euthanasia, suicide and abortion. This has raised a plethora of questions regarding actions and consequent ethical choices. What impact this has had on the Durban Hindu regarding the interpretation and re-interpretation of scripture to accommodate euthanasia, suicide and abortion is examined in the background of karma and dharma. A cross-section of Durban Hindus consisting of lawyers, doctors, academics, schoolteachers, Hindu scholars, priests and housewives were interviewed. Their views on karma and dharma, to what extent these concepts underlie their thinking with respect to euthanasia, suicide and abortion and what influence classical views based on Hindu scripture as well as Western thinking have had on the contemporary Hindus of the Durban area, are examined. Consequently, karma and dharma are viewed from a hermeneutical perspective and examined in the light of the phenomenological approach. The key hermeneutical concepts of karma and dharma have been modified and re-interpreted to accommodate changing circumstances. The views expressed range from the extremely liberal to the ultra conservative. Although the subjects were not all familiar with Hindu scripture, the views expressed were similar to scripture. Many Hindus therefore are reasoning on traditional lines, although the basis of their reasoning has shifted from scripture. Ethics and morality are not the only underlying principles affecting the euthanasia, suicide and abortion debate: financial and social considerations are also important. Although euthanasia and abortion are strongly condemned by the conservative Hindu they are accepted on medical, social and utilitarian grounds. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

Advances in technology and medicine have greatly impacted on religious thought and have contributed to a large extent in bringing to the fore questions regarding euthanasia, suicide and abortion. This has raised a plethora of questions regarding actions and consequent ethical choices. What impact this has had on the Durban Hindu regarding the interpretation and re-interpretation of scripture to accommodate euthanasia, suicide and abortion is examined in the background of karma and dharma. A cross-section of Durban Hindus consisting of lawyers, doctors, academics, schoolteachers, Hindu scholars, priests and housewives were interviewed. Their views on karma and dharma, to what extent these concepts underlie their thinking with respect to euthanasia, suicide and abortion and what influence classical views based on Hindu scripture as well as Western thinking have had on the contemporary Hindus of the Durban area, are examined. Consequently, karma and dharma are viewed from a hermeneutical perspective and examined in the light of the phenomenological approach. The key hermeneutical concepts of karma and dharma have been modified and re-interpreted to accommodate changing circumstances. The views expressed range from the extremely liberal to the ultra conservative. Although the subjects were not all familiar with Hindu scripture, the views expressed were similar to scripture. Many Hindus therefore are reasoning on traditional lines, although the basis of their reasoning has shifted from scripture. Ethics and morality are not the only underlying principles affecting the euthanasia, suicide and abortion debate: financial and social considerations are also important. Although euthanasia and abortion are strongly condemned by the conservative Hindu they are accepted on medical, social and utilitarian grounds. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)