Buddha Nature
(from
In Search of the Stainless Ambrosia, Jewel Ornament of Liberation, Jewel Treasury
of Advice and Transformation of Suffering)
by Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche
All sentient beings have the Buddha nature, or seed of Enlightenment. In the
Samadhi Raja Sutra, the Buddha said, "All sentient beings are pervaded by
the essence of the Sugata (the well-gone state). For example, silver abides in
its ore, oil abides in a mustard seed, and butter abides in milk. Likewise, the
seed of Enlightenment abides in every sentient being. Complete Buddhahood is Dharmakaya,
which is all-pervading emptiness. And this emptiness pervades all sentient beings.
For this reason, all sentient beings have the seed of Enlightenment." The
suchness of all reality has no differentiation. The reality-suchness of the Buddha
and the sentient beings is not differentiated. There is no better and no worse,
no higher and lower, no larger and smaller. Therefore, all sentient beings have
the essence of Enlightenment. As it is possible to extract butter from milk and
oil from the sesame seed, so it is possible for sentient beings to achieve Enlightenment