Christa Pike Survives Execution Protected by Loving Kindness | Metta vs Poison | Ajahn Dhammasiha
Dhammagiri Buddhist PodcastsShow Notes
Recently the case of Christa Pike's "botched execution" in Tennessee went viral, as she is apparently the first person ever in the US to survive an "execution" after the poison (pentobarbital) was administered. In fact, after the first "lethal" dose failed to kill her, a second "lethal" dose was given to her. When she was still alive an hour after that second injection, an ambulance was called to get her into intensive care at a nearby hospital.
Christa remained unconscious and intubated on a ventilator for several days. Apparently, she was considered "brain dead" by October 5, and it was planned to disconnect Christa's life support on October 6.
However, to everyone's surprise and consternation, on the day of the planned termination of life support, Christa suddenly regained consiousness and started speaking. Although still very ill, she made progress in her recovery, and was transferred back from hospital to the prison on October 10.
What's rarely mentioned in the media reports is the fact that CHRISTA PRACTISED LOVING KINDNESS (METTĀ) DURING THE "EXECUTION"!
Her Buddhist spiritual advisor explained in an interview that Christa has been practising Mettā for more than two years. She went into the execution chamber radiating unconditional Loving Kindness to everyone, including herself, the persons who were "executing" her, and even those behind the viewing window who wanted her dead and specially came to personally watch her being killed - she even included those in her Mettā!
Ajahn Dhammasīha points out that the Buddha mentioned 'Protection from Poison' as one of the benefits of Loving Kindness.
Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, Book of Elevens No 15 'Mettānīsamsa Sutta / Benefits-of-Loving-Kindness Sutta: https://suttafriends.org/sutta/an11-15/
Ajahn Dhammasīha considers it highly likely that Christa's diligent practice of Mettā is a crucial factor in her unprecedented survival of two lethal doses of pentobarbital.
Christa's case also highlights the cruel and degrading nature of "capital punishment", which will hopefully contribute to increasing awareness of the unacceptable ethical, moral, spiritual, social and practical implications of the "death panelty", and ultimately lead to the global abandonment of all executions.
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