What is buddha-nature?

Buddha-nature is a way of life and not about a religious aspect. In fact, there should be some discernment for any organized religion, no matter which one it is, if only for the mere fact that corruption is blatant and constant in every single one of them.

Buddha-nature is a harmonized way of life. It is a way of being in one’s own true self and having some path or natural understanding of harmony. The path of righteousness could be here. The path to righteousness is not about selfish serving. Serving others is a human trait and is necessary for a flourishing group, therefore selfish serving is not even a viable trait. Selfish service is actually not found in most living beings, as life itself is full of inter-dependence and social connection. Although, it is natural to serve one’s self for the well being and livelihood of that person. What matters is the balance between the two and what is naturally flowing and opening up on the path of life for an individual at any given moment.

What about compassion? Compassion is just a word and anyone can throw it around, especially for public display, but what does compassion actually do?

Is it standing by and watching harm done to others? Watching is a form of participation. If you see it, then it is in your existence. Therefore, you are participating in what you are engaging your mind in.

Buddha-nature focuses more on observation. Observing should be a focus on one’s self. How do you feel, where are you going, what are you focused on? Observing the self then naturally taps into observance of the outside world, thus observing what is right and wrong should come naturally. At this moment, a person should know what to do, what is right action and what is wrong action. How to act vs. not acting at all. This would be natural and instinctual. Or at least it should be.

So compassion can be found in observing one’s self. It can be found by connecting to life through the self and understanding it. Here is where we find empathy for others because we actually understand what is taking place. We can also go as far as saying the literal energy can be felt on a physical or emotional level. This is also a part of human nature, but again, the matter is about how the balance between what is healthy and what is not, comes about.

Compassion has nothing to do with harm to others or other things. Of course this is easier said than done, as most people harm, because many things that are harmful and done harmfully are instinct to surviving in this world. Or it is sub-conscious. This is not only about physical harm. The words and spells people cast out, the tools they use and the way they think, which comes out in their actions, are all included.

Is it possible to have Buddha-nature at this level of understanding? This is why people practice such a lifestyle and anyone that does, finds their own level of awareness. Awareness comes in different forms, which is why people seem to argue over different aspects of the same thing. In essence a group may be right in their understanding, but it is their understanding at their point of knowing. The level of a single person or group can only do so much. Literally. Our make up, our bodies, or physical presence only allows for so much understanding. After that, it is a different story. Perfection of the human state in how the Buddha-nature is addressed, is not really attainable given where we live and what we do (on this Earth). This is why it has been materialistically manifested, like all other religions, with contradictions and truths coming forth at the same time. Buddha-nature is attainable to a point, but that point is dependent on the group or individual and their level of understanding. Their perspective always plays a role as well.