SANTHARA OR SALLEKHANA IN JAINISM

Sallekhanā (also Santhara, Samadhi-marana, Sanyasana-marana), is the Jain practice of facing death voluntarily at the end of one's life.It is prescribed both for the householder and ascetics.Sallekhana is made up from two words sal (meaning 'properly') and lekhana, which means to thin out. Properly thinning out of the passions and the body is 'Sallekhanā'.Sallekhana is allowed only when a person is suffering from incurable disease or great disability or when a person is nearing his end. It is a highly respected practice among the members of the Jain community.According to Jain Agamas, sallekhanā leads to ahimsā (non-violence or non-injury), as person observing sallekhanā subjugates the passions, which are the root cause of himsā (injury or violence).

The person observing sallekhana does not wish to die nor he is aspiring to live in a state of inability where he / she can't undertake his / her own chores. In Jainism, there is a daily prayer where a person wishes to be able to face death after having taken the vow of sallekhana. Due to the prolonged nature of sallekhana, the individual is given ample time to reflect on his or her life. The purpose is to purge old karmas and prevent the creation of new ones. According to Tattvartha Sutra (a compendium of Jain principles):"A householder willingly or voluntary adopts Sallekhana when death is very near."
According to Jain Agamas, following should be avoided after taking the vow of sallekhanā:[8][9]-
desire to live
desire to die
recollection of the pleasures enjoyed
longing for the enjoyment of pleasures in future.
RECENTLY RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT BANNED IT BUT SUPREME COURT OVERRULED THE VERDICT OF LOWER COURT.