Buddha Nature Talks
In Buddhist philosophy, Buddha-nature is the potential for all sentient beings to become a Buddha or the fact that all beings already have a pure buddha-essence within. "Buddha-nature" is the common English translation for several related Mahayana Buddhist terms, most notably tathāgatagarbha and buddhadhātu, but also sugatagarbha, and buddhagarbha. Tathāgatagarbha can mean "the womb" or "embryo" (garbha) of the "thus-gone one" (tathāgata), and can also mean "containing a tathāgata". Buddhadhātu can mean "buddha-element," "buddha-realm" or "buddha-substrate".
Buddha-nature has a wide range of (sometimes conflicting) meanings in Indian and later East Asian and Tibetan Buddhist literature. Broadly speaking, it refers to the belief that the luminous mind, "the natural and true state of the mind," which is pure (visuddhi) mind undefiled by kleshas, is inherently present in every sentient being, and is eternal and unchanging. It will shine forth when it is cleansed of the defilements, that is, when the nature of mind is recognised for what it is.
The Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra (written 2nd century CE), which was very influential in the Chinese reception of these teachings, linked the concept of tathāgatagarbha with the buddhadhātu. The term buddhadhātu originally referred to buddha relics. In the Mahāparinirvāṇa, it came to be used in place of the concept of tathāgatagārbha, reshaping the worship of physical buddha relics of the Buddha into worship of the inner Buddha as a principle of salvation.
The primordial or undefiled mind, the tathagatagarbha, is also often equated with emptiness; with the alayavijñana ("storehouse-consciousness", a yogacara concept); and with the interpenetration of all dharmas (in East Asian traditions like Huayan). Buddha nature ideas are central to East Asian Buddhism, which relies on key buddha-nature sources like the Mahāparinirvāṇa. In Tibetan Buddhism, buddha-nature ideas are also important, and are often studied through the key Indian treatise on buddha-nature, the Ratnagotravibhāga.
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After Generations Of Nobility, Temporarily Fallen Into PovertyBuddha nature. Story about Uncle Mi and Dongshan discussing a rabbit crossing the road.Lotus Sutra story about the destitute child. Enlightenment and delusion. Human agency (or training) and... Buddha Nature, Koan, Enlightenment, |
Jun 08 2019 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #3: Our Buddha Nature PreceptsOrigins of the Bodhisattva precepts; development and commentaries; the reasons for Buddhas appearing in this world. Precepts, Buddha Nature, Transmission, Heart Sutra, |
Jun 09 2018 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #2: Introducing the Brahma's Net SutraIntroducing the Brahma's Net Sutra: https://www.tinyurl.com/Brahma-Net Buddha Nature, Platform Sutra, Precepts, |
May 12 2018 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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A Sanctuary Is Built Right Here, Right NowBuddha's 'a good place to build a sanctuary'; buddha mind is intimately transmitted - Sandokai; undergoing surgery; baby developing a self; Transmission, Buddha Nature, Sanctuary, |
Apr 01 2017 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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From Where Does an Appropriate Response Emerge?Cultivation, Perfect Wisdom, Karmic Consciousness, Perfect Wisdom, cognitive process... |
Sep 12 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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I've long heard there is no Zen in India Dragons, Lotus Sutra, Buddha Nature, Humility, Book of Serenity, Karmic Consciousness... |
May 17 2013 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Chick and Hen -- Inquiring and RespondingChick and Hen -- Inquiring and Responding Beginners, Birth-and-Death, Teacher-and-Student, Karmic Consciousness, confusion,... |
Jul 01 2012 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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Continuous Compassion for Karmic Consciousness true dharma, Karmic Consciousness, Perfect Wisdom, Attachment, Silence, Transmission... |
Feb 06 2010 Morning No Abode Hermitage |
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On Enlightenment and Delusion Bowing, American, Gratitude, Buddha Nature, Zazen, resistance, confusion, Desire,... |
Dec 02 2009 The Yoga Room |
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Embodying the Lotus Sutra Lotus Sutra, Buddha Nature, Heart Sutra, Manjushri, Book of Serenity, Birth-and-Death... |
Apr 24 2008 The Yoga Room |
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Embodying the Lotus Sutra Lotus Sutra, Intimacy, Buddha Nature, Heart Sutra, Birth-and-Death, Observe, Book of... |
Apr 17 2008 The Yoga Room |
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Embodying the Lotus Sutra Lotus Sutra, true dharma, Triple Treasure, Buddha Nature, Bowing, Separation, Sangha... |
Mar 20 2008 The Yoga Room |
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Embodying the Lotus Sutra Lotus Sutra, Buddha Nature, Religion, Branching Streams, Separation, Ordination,... |
Mar 13 2008 The Yoga Room |
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Zen Meditation as Bodhisattva VowDuring this course, we will study the bodhisattva vow, to see how the compassionate intentions of enlightening beings generate, work, and play with the mind of enlightenment to promote peace and... Nirvana, Bodhisattva Vow, resistance, Faith, Buddha Nature, difficulty |
Aug 14 2007 The Yoga Room |
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Prajna ParamitaThe "Perfection of Wisdom" is the bodhisattva's understanding of emptiness, which is available to those who are settled in the conventional world. Discrimination, Lotus Sutra, Observe, practicing generosity, Breath, Buddha Nature,... |
Jul 14 2007 Afternoon No Abode Hermitage |
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The Light of Buddha's Wisdom - Precepts of CompassionBuddha sheds the light of wisdom on the true nature of suffering, liberation, and the human mind, on the teachings of compassion, moral causation, and the whole phenomenal universe. This retreat... Evil, practicing generosity, Letting Go, Judgement, Buddha Nature, Greed, Darkness... |
May 05 2007 Part 2 Mount Madonna Center |