Sometimes practicing the Dhamma can cure a person of illness, whereas other times the Dhamma can ensure that, even though a person may die from an illness, the illness will make no inroads on the mind.

"Given the fact that the experience of the present moment is shaped both by past and by present intentions [kamma], it is possible that — if an illness is the result of present intentions — a change of mind can effect a cure in the illness; but if the illness is the result of past intentions, a change of mind may have no effect on the illness but can at least protect the mind from being adversely affected by it. Thus some of the passages focus how practicing the Dhamma can cure a person of illness, whereas others focus on how the Dhamma can ensure that, even though a person may die from an illness, the illness will make no inroads on the mind."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Beyond Coping: The Buddha's Teachings on Aging, Illness, Death, and Separation: A Study Guide"

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