Buddha-nature (as Depicted in the Lankavatara-sutra)
by Nguyen Dac Sy | 2012 | 70,344 words
This page relates ‘Introduction (the goal of self-realization)’ of the study on (the thought of) Buddha-nature as it is presented in the Lankavatara-sutra (in English). The text represents an ancient Mahayana teaching from the 3rd century CE in the form of a dialogue between the Buddha and Bodhisattva Mahamati, while discussing topics such as Yogacara, Buddha-nature, Alayavijnana (the primacy of consciousness) and the Atman (Self).
Introduction (the goal of self-realization)
Buddhism is a religion that has no interest in impracticable theory and metaphysics, and especially in the Laṅkāvatārasūtra, its topmost goal is to reach a state of self-realization of the Buddha-nature within every practitioner‘s mind.
In the Mahātaṇhāsaṅkhayasutta of the Majjhima Nikāya, the Buddha emphasizes on the practice of his teaching, it is self-realized, timeless, a come-and-see thing.
sādhu, bhikkhave, upanītā kho me tumhe, bhikkhave, iminā sandiṭṭhikena dhammena akālikena ehipassikena opaneyyikena paccattaṃ veditabbena viññūhi.[1]
It is good, monks. You, monks, have been presented by me with this dhamma which is self-realized, timeless, a come-and-see thing, leading onwards, to be understood individually by the wise.[2]
Like the Parable of the Raft, dhamma is for cross over, not for retaining. It is similar for the doctrine of Buddha-nature. The Buddha-nature is self-realized and timeless; it is a come-and-see state, not a bare impracticable dhamma.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Majjhimanikāya i, 165.
[2]:
The Collection of the Middle Length Sayings, tr. I.B. Horner, Vol. I, p. 321.