Sallekhana

I was watching a program on the National Geographic Channel today. It was about Taboo burial and death customs. The first segment was about the Jainists of India. They are vegetarians who don't eat root vegetables and only eat during daylight hours. At the point in their lives where they feel that they have acheived all that thay can toward enlightenment; they begin to practice the rite called Sallekhana which is slow fasting unto death. It may be several years before they enter the last phase. However, they have no illusions about it. In India, this practice is protected by their Constitution. It is a Religious Right.