by Sesa Das (ACBSP) As a perplexed young brahmacari approached the Temple President’s office for the third time that morning, he saw a notice posted on the door. It was a meme that read, “Your latest existential crisis does not constitute an emergency on my part. Go read Bhagavad Gita.” Disappointed, the brahmacari paused and murmured “to knock or not to knock, that is the question.” Finally, he turned from the door and in a louder, clearly frustrated voice, said “But it’s about the Covid-19 vaccine. To take the vaccine or not to take the vaccine.” No response was heard from behind the closed office door. Apparently, this young brahmacari is not alone in seeking guidance on the moral and ethical issues raised by vaccines for Covid-19. As the effects of the global pandemic have reached every corner of the planet, people worldwide have pinned their hopes on medical science to produce a safe and effective vaccine. Governments are now approving vaccines and are in the process of inoculating people as quickly as possible. Yet, moral and ethical concerns continue to surface. |