Any Guarantee?

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Question: (unedited)
Hello Justin, another day another question from me. I hope all is well with you and here goes: I have heard the saying "mind is buddha, buddha is mind." So my question is this: If we, (and by we I mean buddhists practicing the way), spend our entire life purifying our minds and discovering our "buddha nature", what happens when in our old age we "lose" our mind. I have seen plenty of elderly people in my job suffering from alzheimers, dementia, and other age-related mind-illnesses that are basically erasing their minds. And what about the severely mentally disabled? How can they possible generate good karma in this lifetime when many of them are not even aware of themselves. What will happen to me if after a life time of practicing the way of buddha I develop an illness in my old age and my mind cannot function anymore. How am I supposed to meditate and die with peace when my mind doesn't work anymore?

My comment:

Congratulations! You have finally realized the truth. Our lives are surrounded by dangers and uncertainties. There are a lot of factors and circumstances beyond our control. This is the realities of life. No more sugar-coated niceties of what a typical Christian will guarantee you...the protection of Jesus and a coozy slot in heaven.

Your questions are ironically answers in themselves because the answers are in the affirmative. Yes, all the uncertainties that you mentioned may become possibilities during our life time. That is why the Buddha warned us that this world and this life are sorrowful.."Dukkha". There are many things that we cannot control. The saddest part is that we most probably have brought with us the bad kamma that our past lives had committed. If we have more of this bad kamma, then sorry, it's just plain "bad luck". This is why the concept of Kamma is the central point in Buddhism. Once we understand the law of kamma, then we understand why this world is wrought with so much suffering, why some are more fortunate, while others suffer from day one.

And to quote you: " plenty of elderly people in my job suffering from alzheimers, dementia, and other age-related mind-illnesses " " And what about the severely mentally disabled?" " What will happen to me if after a life time of practicing the way of Buddha I develop an illness in my old age and my mind cannot function anymore. " You are right. That's why I congratulated you. This is the TRUE teachings of the Buddha. This is the world of Dukkha. So long as we exist here, we are subject to this Dukkha. If we want to avoid completely this Dukkha, then we have to exert tremendous effort to purify our mind to such a level that there is no more attraction by the negative forces of this world where we will no longer be reborn. This is Nibbana. No more craving, no more attachment, no more attraction.

In a more positive note, there is some assurance that we may be spared of the unfortunate ill effects of life. This is another pertinent message of the Buddha. The Buddha assured us that when we practise the Dhamma (the Buddha's teachings), the Dhamma will protect us. This is the universal truth applicable to everyone irrespective of race, nationality, or belief. It also transcends space and time. It is a very simple statement of fact. This is the law of kamma. "Whatever one volitionally commits an act by way of thought, speech, or action; there will be a corresponding effect, here and now, or in the future. If the act is wholesome, then the effect will be wholesome. If the act is unwholesome then the effect will be unwholesome. This law does not discriminate nor favour anyone.

As good Buddhists, we have every reason to discipline ourselves in our moral character so that whatever we do is always wholesome and harmless. In this way we will have a better chance to "survive" another round!.....until final liberation from this world of dukkha. It's a pleasure sharing Buddhist thoughts with you. I look forward to hear from you again.