07/09/2026
Busshō (The Buddha Nature)
I feel it is important to point out the essential components of Buddha Nature, that are often and usually overlooked by Buddhists in favour of the more fashionable Buddhist concept of Impermanence.
1) Spontaneous Enlightenment
2) The Absolute, Fundamental, Essential and Indestructible.
3) Potential
It is often understood by most Buddhists of all traditions that Buddha Nature is already here. One cannot create it, cultivate it or make it happen. Buddha Nature is here before, after and outside of the individual ego, which pales into insignificance in the context of Buddha Nature.
Buddha Nature, whether realized or unrealized, is the potential to become a Buddha. The seed of Buddha Nature is always there waiting patiently to grow into a fully-fledged mature Buddha. It is the absolute, fundamental and indestructible nature of all things.
I write this note because Buddhists of all traditions lean heavily on the Buddhist concept of 'Impermanence' and privilege it above Buddha Nature.
But Buddha Nature is not impermanent. It is essential, fundamental, absolute, permanent, exists in every moment and is indestructible. It is transmitted Karmically and Spiritually before an individual is born and it is fixed for the duration of a life. You cannot change your true nature and your destiny that was given to you before birth. You cannot succeed in anything without your true nature that makes things effortless and does itself naturally. The way knows the way, nature knows the way, God knows the way, the Ancestors know the way, even when the individual mind and heart does not know. These Divine things continue to know even when the individual does not know. These Divine things cannot not know, they cannot be deluded or change Divine Universal Law. Nothing can escape Karma, the energy that creates all things and operates according to Universal Divine Law.
The understanding of Buddha Nature as pre-existing, absolute and permanent is correct and accords with other wisdom teachings. Transpersonal and Depth Psychology likewise understand the True Self, ones True Nature to be already and always here, even if one is largely unaware of it. We get glimpses of our true nature even in the midst of our conditioning, self-construction, self-delusion and striving to be what we think we ought to be.
When Buddhas are truly Buddhas, they are not aware that they are Buddhas. An enlightened Buddha is not concerned with being an enlightened Buddha. That is absurd. If something truly is, it just is and there is no thought, fantasy, cultivation or effort required.
This brings me to the Spontaneous Enlightenment quality or action of Buddha Nature. In the words of poet Mary Oliver, you do not have to crawl on your hands and knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. Indeed, if you are trying to make something happen, it is because it is not happening spontaneously and naturally in alignment and harmony with your God, Ancestors and Karmically given True Nature. So don't worry about trying to be true or enlightened, these things are already yours, you just need to get out of your own way.
Reference:
Yokoi, Yuko. (1986) 'Busshō (The Buddha Nature)' Chapter 3 in The Shōbō-genzō. Sankibo Buddhist Book Store, Tokyo. pp. 13-61.
The Shōbō-genzō by the 13th century Sōtō Zen Master Eihei Dōgen. Translated by Yuho Yokoi.
