The Alternative Ways of Anti-Aging Through the Buddha’s Principles Synchronized to The Medical Science
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Abstract
Aging and anti-aging have long been extensively studied in medical science, with continuous advancements addressing aging through external interventions, internal regulation, and preventive strategies. These approaches reflect the complexity of aging as a multidimensional process involving biological, psychological, and environmental factors, as well as the ongoing human pursuit of maintaining health, vitality, and quality of life across the lifespan.
At the same time, the Teachings of the Buddha present an understanding of aging, illness, and well-being grounded in principles of natural causality and human development, emphasizing the interconnection between body and mind. When considered alongside medical science, these perspectives reveal a consistent and interconnected explanation of human life processes.
This qualitative documentary research consists of three objectives: (1) to explore the knowledge of aging and anti-aging theories in medical science, (2) to examine well-being life concepts from the Teachings of the Buddha, and (3) to introduce the alternative ways of anti-aging through the Buddha’s principles synchronized with medical science. Data were collected through documentary research and in-depth interviews with 13 key informants from four academic scholar groups in Thailand and the United States. The research instruments were validated using the Content Validity Index (CVI) by three experts.
The findings indicate that aging is a multidimensional process characterized by interactions among biological, psychological, and environmental factors. This study synthesizes these mechanisms into the concept of the Aging Loop, which describes a cyclical and self-reinforcing interaction between physical and mental stress, inflammatory responses, disruption of physiological homeostasis, and cellular senescence. This process reflects a continuous feedback system in which psychosomatic conditions and biological mechanisms influence one another, contributing to the progression of aging.
The Teachings of the Buddha explain aging, illness, and death as interconnected conditions within causal processes. Within the framework of Dependent Origination (Paṭicca-Samuppāda), these conditions are understood to arise dynamically from interdependent factors. The Fourfold Bhāvanā, Kāya-Bhāvanā, Sīla-Bhāvanā, Citta-Bhāvanā, and Paññā-Bhāvanā, are identified as the foundation for cultivating holistic well-being through the balanced development of body, conduct, mind, and wisdom.
Based on this conceptual alignment, the study introduces three alternative ways of anti-aging: (1) wise discernment in eating consumption, (2) wise discernment in the use of daily necessities, and (3) wise discernment in lifestyle choices beyond the four requisites. These approaches are guided by the principles of Suitability (Sappāya-Kārī), Moderation (Sappāye-Mattaññū), and Wise Attention (Yonisomanasikāra), which function as practical mechanisms for regulating patterns of consumption and behavior.
This framework further emphasizes the distinction between true value and artificial value in human choices, allowing individuals to align their behaviors with conditions that support physiological and psychological balance and long-term well-being. In this sense, anti-aging is not limited to external or aesthetic outcomes but involves regulating underlying processes of biological and functional decline.
Anti-aging is therefore understood as a process of wise discernment in daily living, grounded in wisdom, guided by the Buddha’s principles, that promotes sustainable longevity, extends both life span and health span, and supports a complete state of well-being across the human lifespan.
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