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Is Hinduism ambivalent about suicide?

Lakshmi Vijayakumar^1,2,3,4, Sujit John⁵

¹1 Voluntary Health Services Chennai, TN, India.

The International Journal of Social Psychiatry

|May 23, 2018

Summary

Hinduism presents an ambiguous stance on suicide, with rates higher than global averages but influenced by faith. Understanding these nuances is key for culturally sensitive suicide prevention strategies.

Keywords:

Hinduism India religion suicide

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Area of Science:

Religious Studies
Psychiatry
Sociology

Background:

Hinduism, one of the world's oldest religions, has over 1.1 billion adherents globally.
The religion exhibits an ambiguous historical and contemporary stance on suicide, condemning general suicides while sometimes condoning religious ones.
This ambiguity is evident in India and among the global Indian diaspora.

Observation:

People following Hinduism have a suicide rate of approximately 21 per 100,000, significantly higher than the global average of 11.4.
Hindu countries show higher suicide rates than Islamic and Christian nations but lower than Buddhist and Atheist countries.
Disproportionately high suicide rates are reported among people of Indian origin in diaspora communities, including Fiji, the Caribbean, Malaysia, and the UK.

Findings:

A strong faith in Hinduism can act as a protective factor against suicide.
Beliefs in karma and the cycle of rebirth (samsara) can foster acceptance of life's difficulties and render suicide meaningless.
Hindu religious beliefs encourage stoicism and acceptance of hardships and calamities.

Implications:

The Hindu religion can act as both a protective factor and a risk factor for suicide depending on specific contexts.
Understanding the multifaceted role of Hinduism in relation to suicide is crucial for developing culturally appropriate suicide prevention strategies.
Further research into the nuances of Hindu beliefs and practices concerning suicide is warranted for effective public health interventions.