Buddha Nature
What
is Buddha Nature?
Well it is the thing that Buddhism is pointing at but Buddhists
find difficult to define. They tend to define it by saying what it is not. So
here are some of my favourite quotes:-
"There is, Oh Monks, a not-born,
a not-become, a not-made, a not-compounded. Monks, if that unborn, not-become,
not-made, not-compounded were not, there would be no escape from this here that
is born, become, made and compounded." the Buddha: Chapter 8 section 3 of
the 'Udana'.
"Buddha nature is the potential to become a Buddha. It exists
in men, women, young, old and even non-human beings like animals. For some, their
present circumstances or existence may obstruct the fulfilment of that potential,
but ultimately, all possess the capacity to achieve Buddhahood. No matter how
confused we might be or have been, no matter what suffering we might have endured
and no matter how intelligent or unintelligent we may be, we each have the same
potential for enlightenment
. For a Buddhist it is crucial to appreciate
that there is actually no real difference between ordinary people like ourselves
and awakened ones like the Buddha. " Lama Jampa Thaye in 'Discovering the
Causes of Happiness'.
"
there is nothing to gain, nowhere to go.
The very effort you make to become enlightened will prevent wisdom from arising,
for wisdom can never arise from desire. Simply be, let go and watch. Naturally.
Right here, tight now. That is all there is. As understanding deepens in the practice
of meditation we begin to experience the unity that underlies the various forms
in samsara. Paradoxes become acceptable when the mind becomes silent, open to
inner experience." Jack Kornfield, page 15 of 'Living Dharma'.
"I
am not God and there is nothing in me that is not of God", Reverend Master
Jiyu Kennett (from a recorded talk).