Religion and Aging in the Indian Tradition

Download or read book Religion and Aging in the Indian Tradition written by Shrinivas Tilak and published by SUNY Press. This book was released on 1989-07-01 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The manner of aging is a cultural construct and there is a specifically Indian way of aging. That way is shown in this book through the anlyses of key concepts--aging (jara), stages of life (asarama), time (kala), determinate deeds (karma), desire (kama), change (parinama), and rejuvenative force (vaja). The author offers important transcultural insights into the realities of aging, disease, and inevitable death faced by all. The composite Inidan religious tradition provides patterns for shaping the aging experience into a meaningful system of vital social values, ethical principles, and life goals, This analysis of the Indian approach provides significant clues for understanding aging in other cultures.