Abstract

Dying with dignity is important in Western culture. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how Asian Buddhists, exposed to Western cultures, perceive death and dying with dignity, and examine their preferences for end-of-life care. We interviewed 15 Asian Buddhists living in Montreal (Canada). Participants regarded death as inevitable, while a good/dignified death had to be natural, peaceful, and, most of all, conscious. Most preferred palliative care to medical-aid-in-dying and emphasized death preparation through daily contemplation of impermanence. Care providers’ understanding and respect of Buddhist patients’ perception of a dignified death might help facilitate this important transition.

摘要

在西方文化中，有尊严地死去是很重要的。这项定性研究的目的是探索接触西方文化的亚洲佛教徒如何看待死亡和有尊严的死亡，并检查他们对临终关怀的偏好。我们采访了居住在加拿大蒙特利尔的 15 位亚洲佛教徒。参与者认为死亡是不可避免的，而好的/有尊严的死亡必须是自然的、和平的，最重要的是，有意识的。与临终医疗救助相比，姑息治疗更受青睐，并强调通过每天思考无常来为死亡做准备。护理提供者对佛教患者对有尊严的死亡的看法的理解和尊重可能有助于促进这一重要转变。