Buddha Nature

"At that time, the Buddha Tathagata spoke the Dharma door of the Buddha nature seal for the Bodhisattvas. Why is it called the Buddha nature seal? It is the initial awakening of the Bodhi mind, that is, having fulfilled the Bodhisattva precepts, entering the Bodhisattva storehouse, obtaining the dharani mind without confusion, not leaving the place of renunciation, realizing the nature of emptiness, realizing the formless, having no place to pray, separating from defilements or realizing the place of the aggregates and realms, giving rise to observation and all seeking the wisdom of the Buddha, truly knowing the nature of non-birth, realizing all dharmas without distinction, fully possessing right views and ending all false thoughts, this is called the Buddha nature seal". (Great Treasure Accumulation Sutra)                            

Explanation: What is the “Buddha nature seal”?

“Buddha” is the perfect enlightenment nature, present in all sentient beings.

“Seed nature” is the seed, the innate foundation that is directed towards enlightenment.

 “Seal” is a seal, a seal of approval, a place to certify the Buddha nature of the practitioner

In other words, this is a method that helps to certify the Buddha nature that has arisen, and transform all actions, thoughts, and minds toward Bodhi without turning back. “The initial awakening of the Bodhi mind”

This is when the practitioner first gives rise to the true wish to become a Buddha to save sentient beings. But that awakening of the mind is not a delusion, but arises from the foundation that has been cultivated for many lifetimes, so that mind as soon as it arises has the ability to lead to the great path.

That is, it is enough Bodhisattva precepts”

That awakening of the mind already contains all the precepts of a Bodhisattva. There is no need to seek external acceptance, as long as the mind is sincere, the precepts will be full.

“Entering the Bodhisattva treasury, receiving the dharani, the mind is not confused”

“Entering the treasury” means entering the Bodhisattva’s treasure of wisdom, no longer thinking with discrimination, but that mind is empty and quiet, remembering all dharmas, not confused, not scattered.

 “Dharani” is the total retention, that is, the mind can maintain all meanings, dharmas, and concentration without being scattered.

“Not leaving the place of renunciation, realizing the nature of emptiness, realizing the formless, having no place to pray”

These are the three liberation gates:

Renunciation: letting go of all attachments.

Emptiness: clearly seeing that dharmas have no self-nature.

Formless: not stuck in appearances, seeing through the surface.

Without place to pray: means not wishing for any attainment because the dharmas are not two, the seeker and the place to pray are inherently one.

“Separating from defilements or realizing the entry into the aggregates, realms, and places” No longer being attached to the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, consciousness), realms (18 realms), and places (12 places). Even when in contact with the body, mind, and environment, the mind is still, unstained, and unattached.

“When starting to observe, all seek Buddha wisdom”

All acts of observation, whether thoughts, actions, or words, are directed toward Buddha wisdom, not following false wisdom.

 “Truely knowing the unborn nature, realizing all dharmas without discrimination”

This is the breakthrough of wisdom Clearly seeing dharmas are not born because birth comes from the combination of causes and conditions, the dissolution of causes and conditions is destruction, so there is no real birth.

Realizing all dharmas without falling into the distinction of existence or non-existence, right or wrong, self or person

“Full of right view, ending all delusions”

When there is right view, all delusions immediately have no roots, there is no need to destroy them, they dissolve by themselves.

This is the unshakeable steadfastness of a Bodhisattva.

In short:

“The Buddha nature seal” is a profound inner state in the practitioner when he has entered the holy path. No longer seeking enlightenment as something external, but clearly knowing the enlightened nature that is present in every thought without seeking, without self, without abiding.

This seal is not given by anyone,

and no one can prove it.

But the mind that clearly knows that it is not deluded is the seal.