Ven. Buddhaghosa thera in his encyclopedic work of Buddha's teachings, the Visuddhi Magga, gives a delightful reflection on the 10 stages of human aging by dividing the average 100 years life expectancy during that time to ten decades.
(1) The Tender decade (Manda Dasaka): The first ten years of a person living for a hundred years are called the tender decade where human is a tender unsteady child then.
(2) The Playful decade (Kridha Dasaka): The next ten are called the playful decade that delights in play then.
(3) The Beautiful decade (Vanna Dasaka): The next ten are called the beautiful decade where youthful feelings occur.
(4) The Strong decade (Bala Dasaka): The next ten are called the strong decade where energy abundance then.
(5) The Wise decade (Panna Dasaka): The next ten are called the wise decade where beauty and power reaches full. By then wisdom is well established. Even in one naturally weak in wisdom at this time, there arise some wisdom.
(6) The Declining decade (Hani Dasaka): The next ten are called the declining decade where fondness for play, beauty, strength and wisdom decline then.
(7) The Stooping decade (Varna Prastha Dasaka): The next ten are called the stooping decade, stoops forward due to old age then.
(8) The Bent decade (Pabbhara Dasaka): The next ten are called the bent decade where figure is bent like the tip of a plough then.
(9) The Silly decade (Mohamula Dasaka): The next ten are called the silly decade where becomes silly and forgets whatever does then.
(10) The Bed ridden/ Prone decade (Sayana Dasaka): The last ten are called the prone decade where one spend more time in bed (sayana).
May all beings be well and happy & attain the fruit of Nibbana.
Suranda Weediyage
BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali & Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,
surandalk@gmail.com
http://www.thebuddhadhamma.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebuddhadhamma
No comments:
Post a Comment