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Death of a racer

bodhi66bodhi66
edited November 2011 in Buddhism Basics
Motorsport fans had a recent death of a popular driver in American Indycar series in a race. Dan Wheldon was 33 yrs old with a beautiful family and was loved by many. I've been trying to look at this tragedy from a Buddhist perspective but since I'm a newbie I could use some help. Is there any meaning when a life ends at a young age? It seems like I've read somewhere that when a life ends at an early age that it is from the result of karma from a previous life. It just seems that a man of his character that touches so many people thru his genuine kindness had any debt left. It also seems that he had a pretty good life until his death and that could be a result of good karma. Thoughts?

Comments

  • NomaDBuddhaNomaDBuddha Scalpel wielder :) Bucharest Veteran
    Death happens randomly. That's all. As one poet would tell, that even the poor and the king, all kinds of people can fit between 4 planks ( metaphor for coffin), so death doesn't discriminate if people are young or old, sick or in full health. You happen to be at the time and the place where things can get really bad, and you die if nothing can save your life.
  • SattvaPaulSattvaPaul South Wales, UK Veteran
    I suppose it has a meaning you attach to it. Random death is a meaning. Death because of karma/cause and effect is another meaning. I personally find the second one making more sense.
    Actually I don't think there is a place for randomness in Dharma at all.
  • auraaura Veteran
    One dies when one has accomplished what one came here to accomplish.
    Nobody would wish to stay longer than that.
  • robotrobot Veteran
    I'll bet if you asked him he would have wished he could stay longer. Young family and all.
  • andyrobynandyrobyn Veteran
    edited November 2011
    Reminds me of a friend's comment that he would not have been happy to die surfing when people were suggesting this in discussing those who like surfing and the increase in surfers being killed by sharks.

    Motorsport has also seen another death recently, in 24 year old MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli.
    http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/motor-racing/death-casts-shadow-over-finale/story-e6frfgb6-1226186251197
  • ZaylZayl Veteran
    I'll take my car on a midnight run in his memory then, traffic laws be damned ;) This is the first I've heard of his death. I don't follow NASCAR much at all, though. Death just happens though, not much you can do so no sense in worrying.
  • StaticToyboxStaticToybox Veteran
    He participated in a dangerous sport,one that's seen more that its share of fatalities, including some of the sport's most celebrated figures (like Aryton Senna and Dale Earnhardt). Every race car driver knows each time they get out on the track that they might not leave the track alive. Coupled with the fact that the this particular race was more dangerous then it needed to be - those 1.5 mile oval tracks (such as Las Vegas Motor Speedway) are built and designed for the bulkier, heavier "stock" cars like Nascar runs, not the lightweight open-wheel cars like IndyCar and Formula 1 run. Those little open-wheelers reach seriously high speeds on those kinds of tracks (much higher than what Nascar reaches there). Plus there was a crowded field of contestants in that race. All in all not a good situation. A lot of people, including drivers, actually expressed concern about this situation, fearing that someone would get seriously hurt or even killed but still they chose to go out and run the race anyway. That's karma, cause and effect.
  • andyrobynandyrobyn Veteran
    edited November 2011
    Yes, all motorsport is dangerous, and that is part of the attraction for many participants, and many spectators too I suspect. Here in Australia signing a waiver acknowledging the danger, for all drivers and pit crews, is mandatory prior to participating in any organised event.
  • StaticToyboxStaticToybox Veteran
    Yes, all motorsport is dangerous, and that is part of the attraction for many participants, and many spectators too I suspect. Here in Australia signing a waiver acknowledging the danger, for all drivers and pit crews, is mandatory prior to participating in any organised event.
    Same in the US as far as I know. My parents go to the local dirt track a lot and they sometimes buy passes to enter the pit area, and each time they have to sign a waver.

  • andyrobynandyrobyn Veteran
    My husband is a keen motorsport driver, in both drag and circuit driving of his streetcars. Here in my little city in Australia we have been politically active to try and get the drag strip re opened. There has not been an drag strip here for many years due to ownership issues and other economic and political factors. we see lots of people, especially young guys, having and causing accidents on the road due to wanting to drive the cars they have - harm minimisation strategy, an appropriate outlet seems wise.
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