..續本文上一頁dha nature, showed how to reveal it through practice, and proved that no one is forced to suffer samsara”s frustrations and woe. Yet, we need to believe and trust him; then we are free to hear, contemplate, and practice the instructions in order to realize the true nature abiding way down within. After unearthing the gold, samsara finally ends.

　　The Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, generously encourages us by quoting the Buddha:

　　“The element of the beginningless time

　　Is the location of all phenomena.

　　Due to its existence, there are all beings

　　And also the attainment of nirvana.”

　　(That was taught by the Buddha.)

　　He tells us that there is the element of beginningless time, the element that is the essence of the Tathagatas, and that it has been present within since time without beginning. It is the location of all magnificent qualities, too. It exists within all living beings, without exception, and nobody is privileged before or above anyone else. Whoever practices the instructions that Lord Buddha gave, can attain the final result, nirvana, because

　　“All beings are Buddhas,

　　But obscured by incidental stains.

　　When those have been removed, there is Buddhahood.”

　　That is a quotation from Tantra.

　　Rangjung Dorje is sharing a quotation from the The Hevajra Tantra with us, that all beings are Buddhas, always already, because they have the precious Buddha nature which is momentarily obscured by the kleshas, the incidental stains or negativities of the mind.

　　In the Madhyanathavibhanga - Distinguishing the Middle from the Extremes, Maitreyanatha gave three examples that show in which way the Buddha nature is obscured and can be purified again: Water is by nature pure but can be polluted by soil and dirt – it can be cleansed. Gold is by nature pure but can be discoloured on the surface – it can sparkle again. The sky is by nature pure but can be obscured by clouds – it can and will be clear again.

　　Nagarjuna, the extraordinary Indian master of the first century A.D. who founded the Madhyamaka School, also dealt with this topic and presented the examples of the sun and moon. He tells us that they are by nature bright and clear but can be covered by a veil of clouds or dust or they can be concealed from our sight through eclipses. Similarly, the Buddha nature is changeless and pure but can be obscured by the five kleshas (“the incidental stains” or “negativities of the mind”), which are summarized as five: craving, desire, maliciousness, laziness, and doubt. These stains can be eliminated. When the sun and moon shine brightly again, they appear naturally and need not have been created anew. Just so in the text by Maitreyanatha, Distinguishing the Middle from the Extremes: Once the pollution, incrustations, and clouds have been removed, the natural purity of water, gold, and the sky, respectively, appear naturally. Their purity is not created. Likewise, once the kleshas of the mind have been removed, the purity of the Buddha nature manifests freely and radiantly. It is not created anew.

　　Rangjung Dorje stressed the importance of learning about the Buddha nature by offering quotations from the sutras and tantras, to enhance one”s trust and diligence towards experiencing and manifesting the true nature abiding within. Many students tell me that they practice so hard but do not really know why. It is important to want to practice, and that is why Lord Buddha presented the teachings on the Tathagatagarbha. By having trust and confidence in our true nature and knowing that the experience of delusion, suffering, and pain can end, we are inspired to make friends with ourselves and others by unveiling the Buddha nature that is always and already abiding within and through us.

　　5. Definitions of the Buddha Nature

　　We went through the int…

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