THREAD: Suicide as Act of Piety? This seems bizarre to followers of...
Daniel Haqiqatjou@Haqiqatjou
44 views
Feb 23, 2026
~1 min read
1
THREAD: Suicide as Act of Piety?
This seems bizarre to followers of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, where taking one's life is among the greatest sins.
Meanwhile, in Indic religions, suicide is often understood as the ultimate pious act a person can do.
This seems bizarre to followers of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, where taking one's life is among the greatest sins.
Meanwhile, in Indic religions, suicide is often understood as the ultimate pious act a person can do.
2
HINDUISM
In Hinduism, the highest act of female piety is self-immolation.
Sati (the practice of a widow immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre) was practiced in parts of India for many centuries, but it was formally abolished in 1829 under British rule.
In Hinduism, the highest act of female piety is self-immolation.
Sati (the practice of a widow immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre) was practiced in parts of India for many centuries, but it was formally abolished in 1829 under British rule.
3
JAINISM
The highest act of Jain piety, according to classical scripture, is fasting til death (sallekhana).
In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court briefly ruled it a form of suicide, but the decision was stayed by the Supreme Court of India, allowing the practice to continue.
The highest act of Jain piety, according to classical scripture, is fasting til death (sallekhana).
In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court briefly ruled it a form of suicide, but the decision was stayed by the Supreme Court of India, allowing the practice to continue.
4
BUDDHISM
In Mahayana Buddhism, self-immolation is an act of religious devotion, not merely political protest. Thích Quang Duc’s 1963 self-immolation protested persecution in Vietnam, but it reflected a broader tradition of devotional self-sacrifice within Mahayana practice.
In Mahayana Buddhism, self-immolation is an act of religious devotion, not merely political protest. Thích Quang Duc’s 1963 self-immolation protested persecution in Vietnam, but it reflected a broader tradition of devotional self-sacrifice within Mahayana practice.