The mind is always present. You just don't see it.
Buddha means awareness, the awareness of body and mind that prevents evil from arising in either.
Still others commit all sorts of evil deeds, claiming karma doesn't exist. They erroneously maintain that since everything is empty, committing evil isn't wrong. Such persons fall into a hell of endless darkness with no hope of release. Those who are wise hold no such conception.
Those who worship don't know, and those who know don't worship.
The essence of the Way is detachment.
Don't hate life and death or love life and death. Keep your every thought free of delusion, and in life you'll witness the beginning of nirvana, and in death you'll experience the assurance of no rebirth.