[adolfadsermens]

As I understand it, Buddha Nature simply means that that which is Buddha is not to be found outside. Being a Buddha is no more than what we are, in fact it's a lot less... but less what? Less ignorance, less greed and less aversion. When the defilements are eradicated, what remains is Buddha

Retrofuturist. Hi everyone

My opinion:

The Buddha taught there are five spiritual faculties (indriya), namely, faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration & wisdom.

By wisdom, I intend to highlight the mind's capacity to both discern truth & be transformed by truth (eg. discerning impermanence resulting in letting go).

Retrofuturist mentioned a Buddha has less ignorance, less greed and less aversion.

In my opinion, ignorance is not the same as greed & aversion.

Greed and aversion can be lessened and ended by samatha (tranquility) practise. By calming the breath, body & mind, greed & aversion can be ended, for which the outcome is bliss (jhana).

But it is not possible to calm or lessen ignorance by samatha practise. Ignorance can only be lessened via the development or accumulation of wisdom.

To end ignorance, the mind must actually see conditionality, the four noble truths, impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, not-self, etc.

So I would say it is proper to say the Buddha is much more than we are because the Buddha has more wisdom (rather than less ignorance).

To me, what remains when the defilements are eradicated is not Buddha-Nature. What remains is luminous mind and Nibbana.

Nibbana is the unconditioned element in nature, the perfect stillness within which the universe turns. This is not Buddha-Nature. The Nibbana element itself does not possess any wisdom.

Luminous mind is also not Buddha-Nature, because a mind on an LSD or some other drug trip can experience luminous mind. Luminous mind is merely luminous mind. It also does not possess any wisdom.

So, to me, Buddha-Nature is the wisdom faculty, namely, panna indriya.

Kind regards



Sariputta, I am now old, aged, burdened with years, advanced in life and come to the last stage: my years have turned eighty.

Sariputta, even if you have to carry me about on a bed, still there will be no change in the lucidity of the Tathagata's wisdom.

Maha-sihanada Sutta: The Great Discourse on the Lion's Roar