Older and Wiser: Classical Buddhist Teachings on Aging, Sickness, and Death Paperback – April 20, 2017

A superbly chosen collection of suttas with wise, to-the-point commentaries. If that's not enough, several of the suttas are offered in original English translations that are more readable and poetic than those previously available. An example: Olendzki's translation of the poem featured in Majjhima Nikāya, 131-134, "The Single Most Precious Moment" is both lovely and a serious contribution to the discussion on the meaning of the title phrase.

Not one of three authors presumes to lecture their readers, 'explaining' doctrinal positions in their cogent commentaries on these early sutras. Each takes a conversational tone offering interesting questions for contemplation, a good example being the short discussions on taking one's own life. Nicely done.

As a recently retired person I found the well-chosen suttas, discussed and illuminated from the perspectives of three highly experienced teachers, both meaningful and relevant. It is the kind of text that I plan to go back to, again and again.

Great book.

excellent and scholarly

This book is powerful and invigorating. It demands of its readers that they open out into taboo topics that can make one tremble such as aging, sickness, and death. But the book also provides a panel of wise and friendly voices to commune with as one contemplates these great eminences among life’s questions. “Older and Wiser” is based upon a program designed at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. It retains the quality of a seminar. Each chapter begins with a quote from the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. With nearly thirty extensive quotes, generally a page or two in length, and very thoughtfully selected, this book actually gives its readers an authoritative entryway into the original teaching of the Buddha along with his most important messages of impermanence and non-attachment. Following each quote there is commentary by the three authors of this book. The commentaries vary from sounding like lessons to personal letters or to private musings. Each of the three authors has trained in a different school of Buddhism. The book has also provided each of the authors a psychological atmosphere in which they feel free to express themselves in a personal voice. The result is a varying compendium of different ways of responding to, and living with the teaching of the Buddha. The focus of this book on issues like retirement, aging, sickness, and death are not limiting foci that rule out the rest of the Buddha’s teaching. On the contrary, these foci lead to a clear circle of concern at the heart of Buddhism, which is how to live well in the context of an impermanent existence. The part of this book that I liked best was its casual voice in the presence of dead serious concerns. As an example of this approachable and contemporary use of language to convey the Buddha’s ageless message, here are some quotes from Mu Soeng. “The selected passages from the Pali Canon, and reflections on them are offered here to a wider audience in the understanding that it is never easy to die. Nor is it ever easy to live…This is how I see the benefit of getting older - that one is able to stop in their tracks before they spin out too much in their own stories - that they are able to return to the ‘refuge’ their practice has created for them within themselves…We have been conditioned to put our trust in a certain organizational order and structure in which things move in a certain way to find their logical place in the scheme of things. In our contemporary culture it is practically taboo to think of disorder, of chaos…the practice of not-clinging while we are well and healthy creates a habit-groove that can be reclaimed in the difficult moments of aging and dying.”

This book is supportive, relevant and practical. As a woman who just turned 60, and a Dhamma practitioner for over 20 years, I’m finding it a valuable manual at this stage of life.I’m reminded of the energy I put into preparing to give birth many years ago, knowing that it was likely to be painful and a challenge to a sense of control. I read books, engaged in support groups and practiced mental and physical exercises. And now, in this stage of the journey, becoming an elder, I’m sensing a similar urgency to open to what is certain- aging, sickness and death. I find I’m needing help with highlighting this aspect of being human. Older and Wiser, Classical Buddhist Teachings on Aging, Sickness and Death is providing the language to talk and think about this reality and is just the tool needed to further understanding and acceptance.The teachings that were selected for this book are organized in the following categories: A shift in focus: a time for retiring, Equanimity, Aging, Illness (including caregiver aspects), Death and Dying, Mourning and Practice. Each of the authors presents their unique and personal perspective on every sutta or poem and these are rich and help to make the ancient teachings accessible and relatable. There are reflection questions that can be used for journal writing and/or group discussion.The voices of the authors are both inspirational and compassionate. The teachings are revolutionary. I am deeply grateful for this book and highly recommend it.

Nada de muito novo aqui, para quem já se abebera na tradição budista. No entanto, o livro é escrito com grande sensibilidade, mostrando vários pontos de vista, de autores sinceros e estudiosos. O formato ficou agradável, com a divisão sobre os temas propostos e há um bom equilíbrio entre o conhecimento "geral" e as experiências de caráter pessoal. Não há "grandes descobertas" aqui, mas a obra estimula a reflexão sobre um assunto que todos temos que enfrentar. Supostamente, é para pessoas mais velhas, mas mesmo eu, ainda na faixa intermediária (meia idade) achei muito instrutivo.