4 stages of life

Four stages of life (in response to the Brahmanical/Hindu type of stages of life where one focuses on worldly matters until later years when one becomes more spiritual at the end):

1. Tender baby – initial pleasure

2. Older child – awakening the sense faculties and playing with toys

3. Grown adult – under the sway of, gripped by sense desire attachments

4. Older adult – the individual gives up sensual pursuits and seeks the spiritual bliss through meditation

(Similar to the theories that existed before the Buddha’s time, but the Buddha focuses solely on the psychological, not the physical decay of the body. This is the typical course, but preferred the spiritual quest at all points in one’s life.)

References

• The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained. David N. Snyder, Ph.D., 2006.
• http://www.thedhamma.com/