A Buddhist practitioner' s opposition to organ donation after death

violates the spirit of Yoga Bodhisattva Precepts. Organs of own body

after death, no longer usable whilst held against being donated to save

the life of another, continue to be kept after death as personal

possessions. Such are acts of violation against not only the precepts

covering the welfare of the sentients but also the second heavy

precept in si zhong si-shi-san qing, 4 heavies and 43 lights.

Pu-sa jie ben (hereafter Preceptive Text for the Bodhisattva) states:

‘If the bodhisattvas, all enjoying own wealth (inclusive of

own organs after death) but with a disposition to parsimony, when

approached by those suffering and impoverished, those unsupported

and unsustained, and all seekers of help (inclusive of patients

awaiting organ transplant to survive) coming before them, no pity

and intent of giving arise. As well, if with a disposition to parsimony

in the Dharma when approached by seekers coming before them,

no intent of giving despite having it arises. Such is committing the

second of parajika (literally, mara triumphing) laws…not truly the

bodhisattva…Violating a parajika law equals relinquishing the

precepts of individual liberation.’

(Source: Upasaka Li Runsheng)