CxD #219: A Buddhist Priest's perspective on Abortion

Please consider listening to this talk by Peg Syverson, a Buddhist priest and senior teacher at Appamada, in which she discusses her views on abortion. Her words are clear, measured, calm, compassionate, and wise. The talk starts at 4:10 and goes until about 16:30, with a Q & A afterward.

Below is a rough and incomplete transcription of the main sections of Peg’s talk.

The taking of life is always a tragedy.

There is no privileged place to stand, and those with extreme views need to take a look in the mirror. To be alive, means to take life.

Our aspiration must be to pay attention to all of the carnage that supports our lives and to do our best to minimize it. We cannot pretend that we are not somehow implicated in taking life.

Unwanted pregnancies will always occur. How should they be met? This is a deeply spiritual and ethical issue.

An abortion is a serious medical procedure with serious psychological, physical, societal risks.

A decision must be made that takes into careful account a number of complex factors. Who should make that decision? Laws are often made by those far away from the circumstances.

An abortion is traumatic no matter the circumstances. It cannot be treated without the function of wisdom and compassion.

Follow-up care is essential.

We must learn how to talk to about these charged issues in a way that are sane, bringing collective wisdom into the conversation. Look for not common ground, not middle ground, but higher ground.

Our fixed views are what lead us to unnecessary suffering.