6. Abortion

Abstract

Buddhist attitudes to abortion are influenced by its belief in rebirth and the idea that life is a never-ending continuum. Many Buddhists, accordingly, feel that abortion is prohibited by the First Precept against taking life. Abortion laws in Buddhist countries range from permissive to prohibitive according to jurisdiction. In some cases, the poor availability of contraceptives has led to increased use of abortion as a means of birth control, although this is now less common in more advanced countries. Early Buddhist texts counsel against abortion, but many feminists feel that ideas about women in such texts are outdated and there is scope for reinterpretation of traditional teachings. Attention has been drawn in recent decades to the Japanese mizuko kuyō memorial service performed following abortions and miscarriages which some feel could be usefully incorporated into Western liturgies.