You are currently logged-out. You can log-in or create an account to save favorites and more. more info

Buddha Nature Talks

In Buddhist philosophy and soteriology, Buddha-nature (Chinese: fóxìng 佛性, Japanese: busshō 佛性, Vietnamese: Phật tính, Sanskrit: buddhatā, buddha-svabhāva or tathāgatagarbha तथागतगर्भ) 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 (तथागतगर्भ) 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).

From Buddha-nature on Wikipedia

Showing 302 talks

- Reset Search

Title	Speaker	Date
Study the Self Serial: SF-12413 08/06/2025, Kristin Diggs, dharma talk at City Center. Nyokai Kristin Diggs talks about the centrality of self-study in the context of Soto Zen, the interdependent nature... Zazen, Big Mind, Buddha Nature	Nyokai Kristin Diggs	Aug 30 2025 City Center
This Human Body Serial: SF-12403 07/12/2025, Kiku Christina Lehnherr, dharma talk at City Center. Kiku Christina Lehnherr explores the dharma of living and practicing in a human body. Buddha Nature	Kiku Christina Lehnherr	Jul 12 2025 City Center
The Precepts As the Way of Our Life Serial: SF-08167 05/04/2025, Myles Cowherd, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Myles Cowherd outlines core Zen Buddhist teachings and practices, emphasizing the discovery of inherent Buddha... Buddha Nature, Precepts	Myles Cowherd	May 04 2025 Green Gulch Farm
Presence in Every Moment Serial: SF-09542 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Kakuon on 2025-02-23 Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Feb 23 2025
Buddha Nature: Embrace Simplicity Serial: SF-09833 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2025-02-23 Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Feb 23 2025
Believing in Nothing, Embracing Everything Serial: SF-09812 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-12-22 Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Dec 22 2024
Wholeness Serial: SF-08439 This talk was given at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) by Shogen Danielson. Shogen's talk touches on the absolute, the inconceivable aspects of the human condition,... Buddha Nature	Shogen Danielson	Aug 23 2024 Tassajara
Wholeness Shogen Danielson's talk touches on the absolute, the inconceivable aspects of the human condition, that we also call Buddha Nature. Buddha Nature, Study, Suzuki Roshi	Shogen Danielson	Aug 23 2024 Tassajara
Traveling the Path With Ordinary Mind Serial: SF-08357 08/14/2024, Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center. This talk was given at Beginner's Mind Temple, by Roger Hillyard. The path is sometimes dark and difficult,... Ordinary Mind, Buddha Nature	Henzan Roger Hillyard	Aug 14 2024 City Center
Journey Within: Embrace the Path Serial: SF-08674 Talk by Roger Hillyard at City Center on 2024-08-14 Ordinary Mind, Buddha Nature	Henzan Roger Hillyard	Aug 14 2024 City Center
Mountain, Rivers and Trees Serial: SF-08445 08/04/2024, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. An exploration of the the koan: Zhaozhou's Cypress Tree in the Courtyard. Buddha Nature	Rinso Ed Sattizahn	Aug 04 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Realization Over Delusion in Zen Serial: SF-08259 Talk by Ryushin Paul Haller at City Center on 2024-08-03 Buddha Nature	Ryushin Paul Haller	Aug 03 2024 City Center
Beyond Sentience: Embracing Buddha-Nature Serial: SF-08627 Talk by Bussho Salon Week Tim Wicks Kim Hart Dan Gudgel at City Center on 2024-07-24 Buddha Nature		Jul 24 2024 City Center
Unfolding Time as Buddha Nature Serial: SF-08640 Bussho Salon Buddha Nature, Dogen, Emptiness	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 10 2024 City Center
Embracing Ambiguity in Zen Practice Serial: SF-09485 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-07-07 Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Jul 07 2024
Beyond Ambition: Cultivating Zen Practice Serial: SF-09746 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-07-07 Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Jul 07 2024
Decoding Dogen: Zen's Timeless Truths Serial: SF-08329 Talk by Bussho Salon Week Tim Wicks Kim Hart Dan Gudgel at City Center on 2024-07-03 Dogen, Buddha Nature		Jul 03 2024 City Center
Bridging Taoism and Buddhism Universally Serial: SF-08651 Bussho Salon Buddha Nature, Dogen	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 03 2024 City Center
Embracing Dogen: Devotion Over Comprehension Serial: SF-08605 Bussho Salon Dogen, Buddha Nature	Doshin Dan Gudgel, Kim Kogen Daiho Hart, Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Jul 03 2024 City Center
Zen and Vajrayana Serial: SF-08432 05/18/2024, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Kokyo celebrates the spirit of nonsectarianism within Buddha-Dharma,... Buddha Nature	Kokyo Henkel	May 18 2024 City Center
Enlightenment in Ordinary Moments Serial: SF-09544 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha Sessions Zen Mind Beginners Mind Gui Spina on 2024-04-21 Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Apr 21 2024
Nothing Extraordinary in Enlightenment Serial: SF-09773 Talk by Fu Schroeder Sangha on 2024-04-21 Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Apr 21 2024
Duality in Zen: Sun and Moon Serial: SF-08632 Talk by Gendo Lucy Xiao at City Center on 2024-03-20 Koan, Blue Cliff Record, Buddha Nature	Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道	Mar 20 2024 City Center
Beyond Dualities: Embracing Pure Presence Zazen, Buddha Nature	Tenzen David Zimmerman	2024
Zen Teacher Tushita's Three Barriers Serial: SF-08875 07/02/2023, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Three barriers to pass through, from Case 47 in the Gateless Barrier koan collection: where is your buddha-nature... Buddha Nature, Suzuki Roshi	Kokyo Henkel	Jul 02 2023 Green Gulch Farm
Be Aware, Don't Be Deceived by Others Serial: SF-08916 03/05/2023, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Case 12 in the Gateless Barrier: Every day Ruiyan called out to himself "Master!" and answered himself "Yes!"... Buddha Nature	Kokyo Henkel	Mar 05 2023 Green Gulch Farm
Embodying Non-Dual Zen Awareness Serial: SF-08918 Talk by Kokyo Henkel at Green Gulch Farm on 2023-03-05 Buddha Nature, Big Mind	Kokyo Henkel	Mar 05 2023 Green Gulch Farm
Dewdrops of Buddha-Nature Serial: SF-08726 02/26/2023, Shoho Kuebast, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Contemplating the teachings of buddha-nature as taught in Maitreya's Uttaratantra Shastra. Buddha Nature, Emptiness	Shoho Kuebast	Feb 26 2023 Green Gulch Farm
Zhaozhou and the Dog, Part 3 Serial: SF-07879 11/17/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period. Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Nov 17 2022 Tassajara
Zhaozhou and the Dog, Part 2 Serial: SF-07876 11/16/2022, Furyu Schroeder, dharma talk at Tassajara. Does a dog have Buddha nature? November sesshin series at the Tassajara fall practice period. Koan, Buddha Nature	Fu Schroeder	Nov 16 2022 Tassajara
Returning to our True Nature Serial: SF-07953 09/07/2022, Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center. Using the hindrance of Remorse and the paramita of Generosity. Buddha Nature	Henzan Roger Hillyard	Sep 07 2022 City Center
Returning To Our True Nature Serial: SF-07989 09/07/2022, Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center. Using the hindrance of Remorse and the paramita of Generosity. Buddha Nature	Henzan Roger Hillyard	Sep 07 2022 City Center
Remember Serial: SF-07878 06/08/2022, Henzan Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center. Seeking our Master Far and Wide is remembering our Buddha Nature. Buddha Nature, Study	Henzan Roger Hillyard	Jun 08 2022 City Center
Remember Serial: SF-07985 06/08/2022, Henzan Roger Hillyard, dharma talk at City Center. Seeking our Master far and wide is remembering our Buddha Nature Buddha Nature, Study	Henzan Roger Hillyard	Jun 08 2022 City Center
Intimacy and Wonder Serial: SF-07945 05/21/2022, Pamela Weiss, dharma talk at City Center. How do we see and see through the separation created by the binary mind? Drawing on teachings by Dogen, Suzuki Roshi and... Buddha Nature	Monitsu Pamela Weiss	May 21 2022 City Center
Karmic Consciousness And Buddha Nature Serial: SF-10994 How it is that our fundamental human affliction ─ our everyday messy karmic consciousness ─ is none other than the unchanging, ever-present clear, and luminous knowledge of... Karmic Consciousness, Consciousness, Buddha Nature	Tenzen David Zimmerman	Nov 06 2021 City Center
Angulimala and Right Speech Serial: SF-10971 In this dharma talk Tenku Ruff explores the precept of right speech particularly what it means to practice in community/Sangha and the habit of assigning permanent status to... Buddha Nature, Community, Precepts	Tenku Ruff	Jul 31 2021 City Center
The Evanescence of Things Serial: SF-11081 Rinso Ed Sattizahn shares a teaching on impermanence. Suffering the results of our karma. What do we do? To fight when necessary and give in when we have no choice. Stability... Impermanence, Buddha Nature	Rinso Ed Sattizahn	Apr 14 2021 City Center
Establishing our Practice in Delusion Serial: SF-11059 Eijun Roshi offers springtime reflections on Buddha’s Birthday and an old Zen story, "Raising up a Speck of Dust." 04/04/2021, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green... Suzuki Roshi, Buddha Nature	Eijun Linda Cutts	Apr 04 2021 Green Gulch Farm
Establishing our Practice in Delusion Serial: SF-11109 Eijun Roshi offers springtime reflections on Buddha’s Birthday and an old Zen story, "Raising up a Speck of Dust". 04/04/2021, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green... Buddha Nature	Eijun Linda Cutts	Apr 04 2021 Green Gulch Farm
Skillful Means Leaping Beyond The Lotus Sutra Serial: SF-10969 A talk, at the conclusion of the Lotus Sutra Intensive, on Chapter Two of the Lotus Sutra. 01/31/2021, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Lotus Sutra, Buddha Nature	Kokyo Henkel	Jan 31 2021 Green Gulch Farm
Zen's Path to Inclusive Harmony Serial: SF-11233 Talk by Kyoshin Wendy Lewis at City Center on 2020-12-26 Buddha Nature	Kyoshin Wendy Lewis	Dec 26 2020 City Center
The Suess of Zen Serial: SF-11277 An exploration of non-clinging with the Grinch reframed as a monk. 12/23/2020, Shoren Heather Iarruso, dharma talk at City Center. Buddha Nature, Koan	Shoren Heather Iarusso	Dec 23 2020 City Center
Vow, The Bodhisattvas' endless practice (video) Serial: SF-11157 Practicing endless commitment to compassion and the Bodhisattva's Vows in this time of crisis and great call to action. 08/23/2020, Rinso Ed Sattizahn, dharma talk at... Buddha Nature	Rinso Ed Sattizahn	Aug 23 2020 Green Gulch Farm
Embracing Non-Duality Through Zen Serial: SF-12319 Talk by Ryushin Paul Haller Non Dual Approach To Practicing With The Paramitas at Tassajara on 2020-08-04 Zazen, Buddha Nature, Global Warming	Ryushin Paul Haller	Aug 04 2020 Tassajara
Lands Apart, Same Sky (video) Serial: SF-11318 02/08/2020, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at City Center. Buddha Nature, Japan	Eijun Linda Cutts	Feb 08 2020 City Center
Under One Sky: Nature's Enlightenment Serial: SF-12255 Talk by Linda Cutts at City Center on 2020-02-08 Buddha Nature, Japan, Poetry	Eijun Linda Cutts	Feb 08 2020 City Center
Awakening Equality: Zen and Arthur Serial: SF-12331 Talk by Kathie Fischer at Green Gulch Farm on 2020-02-02 Platform Sutra, Buddha Nature, Enlightenment	Sokaku Kathie Fischer	Feb 02 2020 Green Gulch Farm
Living Vows: Zen's Path to Awakening Serial: SF-12339 Talk by Ed Sattizahn at City Center on 2020-01-04 Buddha Nature, Bodhisattva	Rinso Ed Sattizahn	Jan 04 2020 City Center
Unveiling Buddha Nature: The Joshu Koan Serial: SF-11155 Talk by Heather Iarruso at City Center on 2020-MM-DD Buddha Nature, Koan	Shoren Heather Iarusso	2020 City Center

Buddha Nature Talks

Pages