Sunyata and Buddha Nature –An excerpt

The underlying essence of phenomenal existence is Sunyata -the non-substantial undifferentiated state of being. 

Sunyata is the cause of all causes but itself has no cause.  That Sunyata is the cause by itself –the Dharma Dhatu, the potential from which both Samsara and Nirvana is possible. 

Sunyata is monistic absolute undifferentiated state.  Sunyata does not mean empty or refer emptiness.  And it is not independent of phenomenal existence. 

Sunyata is the underlying essence of every phenomenal existence.  It is undifferentiated –Sunya, and it is non-substance.  It is the essence of the Buddha Nature and as well of Ahankara -Ego. 

It is from Sunyata rolls out the phenomenal existence.  Once the phenomenal existence comes into being its existence is sustained by Pratitya Samutpada –the dependent co-arising. 

Sunyata is Alaya –infinity, the consciousness beyond conceptual mind.  That Alaya Sunyata is in every being.  Within that Alaya Sunyata there exist Buddha Swabhava; the Buddha Nature; an active principle, the potential for being enlightened.  Without the Buddha Nature, the sentient being would neither arouse aversion to Samsara nor desire for Nirvana. 

Buddha Nature is Pure Self, the Self Awareness, the purity of mind, and the potential for getting liberation from suffering and attaining eternal happiness, and bliss.

Buddha Nature is pure consciousness.  Perceiving life through and with pure consciousness unfolds pure awareness, and realising that pure awareness means living an enlightened life. 

Buddha Nature is the True Self.  It is Absolute.  It is not arisen from dependent co-arising and not subject to change.  Anything that has been caused by dependent co-arising and subject to change is not True Self, not absolute, and therefore not Buddha Nature. 

Buddha Nature is intrinsic and inherently existing within but it is not recognized by the ordinary beings because their mind is constantly deluded by Ego.  A deluded mind cannot recognise the Buddha Nature. 

Buddha Nature is a state of non-discrimination, non-substantial and imageless.  In that perspective Buddha Nature is Sunyata.  But it is not correct to say Sunyata is Buddha Nature, because Sunyata encompass all other potentialities and natures.

Buddha Nature is Sunyata in its nature.  It is real.  It is Nirvana itself.  It is where no false discrimination takes place, and no wrong perception takes place. 

Realizing Buddha Nature means realizing the Primordial Purity; the Bodhi Citta –the heart of enlightened mind.

With Buddha Nature the fear, the fear of being in hopeless state is cast away.  The cause of the fear is Ego, and when Ego is renounced, the Buddha Nature shines forth. 

Lord Buddha’s teaching on Tathagatagarbha –the womb of Buddha Nature, consolidates confidence that there is a way out from Dukkha, by setting life objectives on all positive attributes: Subha -the pure, Sukha -the happiness, and Nitya -the eternal. 

The teaching creates affinity to: (1) purity of mind (2) renounce arrogance: pride, anger, hatred, and aversion, (3) get rid of ignorance; (4) get rid of Ego that creates delusion with wrong perception which give rise to worldly desire, hatred, happiness, distress, fear and worry, and (5) severe attachment to belief on Atta or Atma, the substantial self; and instead cherish Buddha Nature.

When the Ego is renounced, the spur of (1) Purity of mind, (2) Prajna –wisdom, (3) Jnana –awareness, (4) Karuna –compassion, and (5) Reverence; and all other positive Karmic potentials begin to unfold. 

Discovering Buddha Nature is wisdom, while living with Ego is ignorance, the cause of illusion and suffering.

Buddha Nature is the wisdom aspect, while Ego is the ignorance aspect of existence.  Ego manifests and develops naturally, and dominates the life of a man while Buddha Nature has to be discovered, and nurtured. 

In Tathagata Garbha Sutra, Maha Parinirvana Sutra, Anuatyapurna Atvanirdesa Sutra, Srimala Devi Simhananda Sutra, Lankavatara Sutra, Ratna Gotra Vibhaga, Buddha Nature Treatise and others; Lord Buddha says; “Purity of mind is the manifestation of Buddha Nature.”

In Anguttara Nikaya (1:5), Lord Buddha says: “O Bhikkus! The mind is pure.  It is defiled by adventitious defilements.  O Bhikkus!  The mind is pure.  It obtains liberation from the adventitious defilements.”

When mind is not pure, the wrong perception prevails.  Any perception that is perceived by an impure mind can only be an error.  The Buddha Nature cannot be recognized with an impure mind. 

The root of suffering is the impure mind that yields wrong perception.  Searching happiness outwardly in sense pleasure is a mistake caused by wrong perception.  No one can correct that wrong perception but by oneself.  Do not think what is suffering is happiness.  That is a mistake. 

When one understands the nature of phenomenal existence, one understands Sunyata.  When Sunyata is understood, the purity of mind develops. 

Considering Anatma –not self as Atma –True Self, is a big mistake.  It had distorted the mind of the people and it had been the cause of suffering.  To correct this erroneous notion, Lord Buddha gave his teaching on Anatma or Anatta –not self. 

The doctrine of Anatta denies substantial existence of independently and eternally existing substantial Atma, neither in the physical mass nor in any of the fields of activities in the body.  It neither exists substantially in five sense organs, the five sense objects, the five sense consciousness i.e. seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching; the mind which is constantly perceiving and having either right or wrong perception, nor in the six emotional feelings, the living symptoms including desire, hatred, happiness, distress, fear and worry. 

Denying the existence of independently self-existing substantial Atma within the aggregate body of man or existing externally, Lord Buddha gave his sublime teaching on Buddha Swabhava –Buddha Nature. 

“Do not do what you do not want others to do on to you.” 

May you be Well.  May you be Happy…………….