Answer

The commonly used words for Santhara in Jain Dharma are:

• Santhara
• Sallekhana
• Samadhi-maran
• Sanlekhana
• Samadhimaran

Explanation

Santhara or Sallekhana is the Jain spiritual practice of peacefully and consciously accepting death with equanimity, usually when the body is very old, terminally ill, or incapable of continuing spiritual practice properly.

The word Sallekhana means “thinning out” or “gradual weakening,” especially of passions, attachments, and bodily dependence.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, Santhara is not considered ordinary fasting. Its main purpose is:

• To reduce attachment to the body
• To remain in forgiveness and equanimity
• To leave the body with peaceful awareness
• To focus on the soul, not the body

Takeaway

The most traditional terms are Santhara, Sallekhana, and Samadhi-maran.