Ageing in Buddhism
Foreword by Ven. Bhante Saranapala
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Ageing is a universal journey that every human being shares. Regardless of culture, religion, profession, or personal background, we all move from youth to maturity and eventually into the later years of life. Yet, despite its universality, ageing is often misunderstood, feared, or quietly avoided in modern society. Many cultures celebrate youth and vitality while pushing ageing and mortality to the margins of conversation.
From the perspective of Buddhist wisdom, ageing is not something to deny or resist. It is something to understand.
As a Buddhist monk who has spent many years teaching mindfulness and kindfulness across North America, I have had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life – students, professionals, parents, and elders navigating the many transitions that life brings. One thing I have observed repeatedly is that people often begin to ask deeper questions as they grow older: questions of meaning, purpose, loss, identity, and peace.
Edward Horner’s Ageing in Buddhism speaks directly to these questions with honesty and reflection. It does not offer quick solutions or idealized portrayals of ageing. Instead, it invites us to look closely at experience and to consider how the teachings of the Buddha may illuminate the realities of growing older.
This approach is deeply aligned with the spirit of the Buddha’s teachings. He encouraged careful and honest observation of life, rather than escape from it. One of the reflections he offered was simple and direct:
“I am subject to ageing; I have not gone beyond ageing.”
Jarādhammomhi jarāṃ anatīto.
This reflection is not meant to discourage. It reminds us that ageing is natural and unavoidable. When this is seen clearly, life may be met with greater clarity and appreciation.
Ageing makes impermanence visible in a very personal way. The Buddha described this as anicca: everything that arises, changes. Our bodies change, relationships evolve, abilities shift, and the world continues to move forward.
Edward Horner’s reflections attend closely to how this unfolds – not only in major life transitions, but in small, everyday moments: the slowing of the body, the shifting of roles, the quiet adjustments that accumulate over time.
What makes this book particularly meaningful is its honesty. It does not romanticize ageing or present Buddhist practice as a solution to life’s difficulties. Instead, it shows how mindfulness allows us to meet change with awareness and care.
In this context, mindfulness is not merely a technique for relaxation – It is a way of remaining present with life as it unfolds. It helps us see the difference between the unavoidable challenges of life and the additional suffering that comes from resistance, fear, or attachment. Ageing often brings this distinction into view.
When the body changes, when abilities shift, or when familiar roles evolve, the mind may respond with frustration, sadness, or anxiety. These responses are natural. Buddhist practice invites us to observe them with patience rather than judgment.
In doing so, something may become clearer: while ageing brings difficulty, it can also open space for reflection. As certain ambitions quiet, other qualities may emerge—patience, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation of the present moment.
In my own teaching, I often encourage what I call kindfulness – the integration of mindfulness and kindness. When we bring this into our lives, we learn not only to observe experience, but also to respond with care. This approach can be especially relevant when facing the realities of ageing.
Instead of criticizing ourselves for slowing down, we may meet the body with kindness. Instead of clinging to past identities, we may allow life to unfold in new ways. Instead of fearing the passage of time, we may learn to stay with it more fully.
Edward Horner’s book reflects this spirit of inquiry. It approaches ageing not as a problem to be solved, but as a process to be understood.
In a culture that often values speed, productivity, and outward success, such reflection is important. It points to a different measure of life—one grounded not in achievement, but in awareness and care.
It is my hope that this book will encourage readers to reflect more closely on their own experience and to meet the changing conditions of life with greater understanding.
May we learn to live with awareness, to age with care, and to meet life’s final transition with steadiness.
With blessings and mettā,
— Venerable Dr. Bhante Saranapala