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Buddha Nature Talks

In Buddhist philosophy and soteriology, Buddha-nature (Chinese: fóxìng 佛性, Japanese: busshō, Vietnamese: Phật tính, Sanskrit: buddhatā, buddha-svabhāva) is the innate potential for all sentient beings to become a Buddha or the fact that all sentient beings already have a pure Buddha-essence within themselves. "Buddha-nature" is the common English translation for several related Mahāyāna 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 Buddhism and later in 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 afflictions, 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 recognized for what it is.
The Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra (2nd century CE), which was very influential in the Chinese reception of these teachings, linked the concept of tathāgatagārbha with the buddhadhātu. The term buddhadhātu originally referred to the relics of Gautama Buddha. In the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, it came to be used in place of the concept of tathāgatagārbha, reshaping the worship of physical relics of the historical Buddha into worship of the inner Buddha as a principle of salvation.
The primordial or undefiled mind, the tathāgatagārbha, is also often equated with the Buddhist philosophical concept of emptiness (śūnyatā, a Mādhyamaka concept); with the storehouse-consciousness (ālāyavijñāna, a Yogācāra concept); and with the interpenetration of all dharmas (in East Asian traditions like Huayan). The belief in Buddha-nature is central to East Asian Buddhism, which relies on key Buddha-nature sources like the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra. In Tibetan Buddhism, the concept of Buddha-nature is equally important and often studied through the key Indian treatise on Buddha-nature, the Ratnagotravibhāga (3rd–5th century CE).
Title | Speaker | |
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Embracing Flow: Zen's Middle Way Buddha Nature, Soto Zen, Diversity, Composure, American, Chanting, confusion,... |
Sep 28 1971 |
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Unveiling Freedom through Renunciation Precepts, Sangha, Observe, Composure, Buddha Nature, Three Treasures, Suffering,... |
Sep 11 1971 |
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Embracing Transience Through Zen Living Buddha Nature, Birth-and-Death, Pain, Building, Instruction, Discrimination,... |
Aug 31 1971 |
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To Attain The Perfection Of Human PracticeCeremony, First Principle, Mahayana, Buddha Nature, Building, Breath, Evil, Doubt,... |
Jul 30 1971 Tassajara |
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Something Which You Cannot UnderstandBuddha Nature, Truth, Happiness, Breath |
Jul 21 1971 Tassajara |
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Why Then Is It Necessary To Accept PreceptsPrecepts, Precepts, Big Mind, Buddha Nature, Religion, Observe, Priest, Zazen,... |
Jul 17 1971 City Center |
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Ego's Illusion and Mindful Growth Monastic Practice, Mindfulness, Buddha Nature, Enthusiasm, Posture, Ego, Meditation,... |
Jul 1971 |
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Swirling Waters of Impermanence Consciousness, Ceremony, Attachment, Buddha Nature, Impermanence, Conversation,... |
Jun 24 1971 |
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Embracing Impermanence Through Buddhist Insight Attachment, Buddha Nature, Nirvana, Lotus Sutra, Commitment, Community, Evil,... |
Jun 22 1971 |
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Unveiling Buddha Nature in Daily Life Lotus Sutra, Happiness, difficulty, Buddha Nature, Oneness, Breath, Lay, Realization... |
Jun 17 1971 |
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Precepts as Original NaturePrecepts, Bodhidharma, Precepts, Concentration, Building, Posture, New Year,... |
Jun 12 1971 City Center |
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The Teaching Just for YouSerial: SR-00147 Sesshin Lecture No. 1 Sesshin, Precepts, Dragons, Bodhidharma, Truth, Buddha Nature, Politics, Transmission... |
Jun 05 1971 City Center |
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Catching Space: Zen's Living Wisdom Breath, Compassion, Observe, Posture, Buddha Nature, Consciousness, Precepts, Silence... |
Apr 27 1971 |
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Zen Symbols: Path to True Self Birth-and-Death, Ego, Gratitude, Subject-and-Object, Buddha Nature, Evil, Suffering,... |
Apr 10 1971 |
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Rooting Zen: Beyond Ego Illusions Happiness, Consciousness, Don't Know Mind, Buddha Nature, Delusion, Bell,... |
Apr 05 1971 |
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Breaking Free: Effort and Mindfulness Breath, difficulty, Consciousness, Buddha Nature, Obstacles, Posture, Ceremony,... |
Apr 04 1971 |
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Breath, Mind, and Zen Harmony Breath, Posture, Buddha Nature, Evil, Instruction, Meditation |
Apr 02 1971 |
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Aligning Breath with True Nature Breath, Buddha Nature, Delusion, Ego, Building |
Apr 02 1971 |
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Advancing Towards Everyday Enlightenment Bell, Community, Buddha Nature, Discrimination, Dragons, Mahayana, Conversation,... |
Jan 19 1971 |
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Enlightenment: A Journey Beyond Attainment Discrimination, Pain, Beginners, Buddha Nature, Religion, Interdependence, Lineage,... |
1971 |
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Unwavering Practice: Path to Awakening Soto Zen, Birth-and-Death, Buddha Nature, Building, Continuous Practice, Ceremony,... |
Nov 20 1970 |
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Silent Acceptance in Zen Practice Silence, Patience, Buddha Nature, Mahayana, American, Community |
Oct 05 1970 |
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Zen Harmony: Beyond Rituals Ceremony, Chanting, Buddha Nature, Posture, Lay, Bowing, Oneness, Culture, Emotions... |
Sep 13 1970 |
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When Someone Receives TransmissionSerial: SR-00071 Tuesday, August 25, 1970 Dharma Transmission, Richard Baker, Japan, Ceremony, Transmission, Priest, Buddha... |
Aug 25 1970 City Center |
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Walk like an Elephant and Sitting like a FrogSerial: SR-00066 True Practice As Expression Of Buddha-Nature Sesshin, Sengai, Buddha Nature, Family Practice, War, Bodhidharma, Zazen, Monks... |
Aug 02 1970 City Center |
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Observation of Precepts and Practice of Zazen is Same ThingSerial: SF-06049 Sesshin Lecture No. 1 Sesshin, Precepts, Precepts, Doubt, Buddha Nature, Faith, Ceremony, Ordination, Lay,... |
Aug 01 1970 City Center |
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Universal Buddha Nature in All Beings Emotions, Mindfulness, Observe, Anger, Buddha Nature, Patience, Obstacles, Hindrances... |
Aug 01 1970 |
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Harmonizing Mind Through Natural Presence Bell, Breath, Buddha Nature, Posture, American, Instruction, Building |
Jul 30 1970 |
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Ekō Lecture 6Serial: SR-00230 The Fourth Morning Eko [This is the last in a series of six lectures by Suzuki on the four ekos chanted at the conclusion of... Eko, Chanting, Monks, Priest, Offering, Buddha Nature, Wisdom, Observe, Separation,... |
Jul 15 1970 Tassajara |
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Embrace Presence Through Zen Practice Obstacles, Buddha Nature, Hate, Hindrances, causation, Enemies, Observe, confusion,... |
Jul 14 1970 |
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Ekō Lecture 2Serial: SR-00229 The Second Morning Eko, Part 1 of 3 [This is the second in a series of six lectures by Suzuki on the four ekos chanted... Eko, Chanting, Chanting, Anger, Buddha Nature, Mahayana, Karma, Meditation, Doubt,... |
Jul 10 1970 Tassajara |
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Mind's Path to Liberation Attachment, Buddha Nature, Observe, Liberation, Sanctuary, Building, Precepts,... |
Jul 07 1970 |
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Integrating Buddha Nature Through Practice Obstacles, Hindrances, Buddha Nature, Consciousness, Ego, Delusion, Religion,... |
Jul 06 1970 |
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Without Any Idea of AttainmentSerial: SR-00061 Sandokai Lecture VIII [The following lines of the Sandokai are discussed in this lecture: Line 21 Manako wa iro,... Branching Streams, Sandokai, Precepts, Subject-and-Object, Oneness, Monks, Observe,... |
Jun 17 1970 Tassajara |
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Embracing Liberation Through Zen Robes Mahayana, Happiness, Buddha Nature, Discrimination, Culture, Anger, Building... |
Jun 16 1970 |
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Today We May Be Very HappySerial: SR-00057 Sandokai Lecture VI [This lecture is concerned with the following lines of the Sandokai: Shiki moto shitsuzo wo... Branching Streams, Sandokai, Happiness, Zazen, Suffering, Pain, Buddha Nature,... |
Jun 10 1970 Tassajara |
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Buddha Is Always HereSerial: SR-00051 Sandokai Lecture III [The following lines of the Sandokai are discussed in this lecture: Line 5 Reigen myoni kokettari... Branching Streams, Sandokai, Emptiness, Buddha Nature, Suffering, Truth, Compassion,... |
Jun 01 1970 Tassajara |
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Money And LaborSerial: SR-00046 Sunday Morning, May 24, 1970 Buddha Nature, Discrimination, Monks, Priest, Faith |
May 24 1970 City Center |
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Zen Wisdom: Path to True Nature Mahayana, Precepts, Patience, Meditation, Enemies, Observe, Buddha Nature, Building,... |
May 12 1970 |
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Sincere Practice and Way-Seeking MindSerial: SR-00043 Sesshin Lecture No. 3, Sunday, May 3, 1970 Sesshin, American, Transmission, Buddha Nature, Hate, Realization, Offering, Building... |
May 03 1970 City Center |
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Sincere PracticeSerial: SR-00140 How To Have Sincere Practice Tatsugami, Dogen, Precepts, Monks, Intuition, Don't Know Mind, Posture, Buddha... |
Apr 28 1970 City Center |
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Lecture To Prof. Lewis R. Lancaster's Visiting ClassSerial: SR-00259 Practice and enlightnment as forgetting and letting go of everything. Even if we don't know what real practice is, continuing and allowing it to reveal itself. Answering... Buddha, Emptiness, Zazen, Don't Know Mind, Emptiness, Building, Suzuki Roshi,... |
Mar 01 1970 Tassajara |
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Selflessness, Being and Non-Being: The Background of ShikantazaSerial: SR-00261 Sesshin Lecture No. 1: Sesshin, Buddha Nature, Emptiness, Evil, Mahayana, Posture, Freedom, Continuous... |
Feb 23 1970 City Center |
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Brown Rice is Just RightSerial: SR-00247 Morning Sesshin Lecture Sesshin, Emptiness, Discrimination, Buddha Nature, Hate, Suffering, Pain, difficulty... |
Feb 01 1970 City Center |
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Caring for the SoilSerial: SR-00199 Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism Emptiness, Mahayana, Buddha Nature, difficulty, Greed, Gratitude, Hate |
Jan 25 1970 City Center |
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Awakening Within: Embrace Your Buddha Nature New Year, Don't Know Mind, difficulty, Buddha Nature, Meditation, Chanting,... |
Dec 28 1969 |
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Some QuestionsLotus Sutra, Time, Ego, Wisdom, Passions, Mindfulness, Buddha Nature, Culture,... |
Nov 11 1969 |
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Lotus Sutra, Lecture No. III-4Serial: SR-00038 [Third Lotus Sutra Series] Lotus Sutra, First Principle, Wisdom, Buddha Nature, Sutra, Priest, Mahayana,... |
Oct 25 1969 Series 3, Talk 4 Tassajara |
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New Students' QuestionsSerial: SR-00211 Tuesday, October 14, 1969 Question-and-Answer, War, Buddha Nature, Addiction, Diversity, Vow, Continuous... |
Oct 14 1969 |
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Beyond Words: Living Zen Wisdom Silence, difficulty, Meditation, Buddha Mind, Enemies, Buddha Nature, Discrimination... |
Oct 07 1969 |