ABSTRACT

The meaning of aging and death, which goes beyond scientific investigation, has been suggested bydifferent religious traditions. For instance, Buddhism seeks to overcome aging and death, which is regardedas fundamental sufferings of humankind. However, aging and death, making us be aware of the transienceof our life, paradoxically plays the positive role of interpreting present life as a process toward Nirvana (self-enlightenment). Although it is widely recognized that the central preoccupation of Confucianism,unlike Buddhism, lies in the political maintenance of this world, the order of this world is established bythe practice of filial piety, and the significance of aging and death can only be understood under theethical ideal based on filial piety. Since aging and death is understood by Christianity as the consequenceof the Fall of man, this perverted state should be restored by God’s salvation. In sum, the significance ofaging and death shared by different religions lies in their understanding of aging and death as a processtoward human mental and spiritual growth.