Aging Through Buddhist Eyes

Abstract

Buddhist teachings in general have been widely rnisunderstood as being pessimistic in nature. This paper examines the Buddhist teachings on aging by presenting representative depicfions of aging mainly from the Tibetan Buddhist literature. While on the surface they may present aging in a negative way, the context in which they are to be understood and practiced needs to be considered. Buddhist depictions of aging are meant to be powerful antidotes to the conceit of youth and act as spurs to spiritual growth and realization.