Euthanasia of a loved one (whether a relative or a pet) is something none of us ever want to face. But unfortunately, it is a reality that some of us will have to consider. The first question that always comes to mind is, isn’t it uncompassionate to let our loved one suffer? Isn’t it better to end their pain? Surely Buddhist teachings are all about compassion, so shouldn’t this be a no-brainer to end our loved one’s suffering?

In this video, I explore what prominent Buddhist teachers have said about euthanasia (mercy killing) and how various elements of the Buddha’s teachings may affect our decision.