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Watch and listen to teachings, speeches, and discussions from Tibetan teachers, scholars, and translators.

Video
Primordial Self Esteem - Being Confident in Our Buddha-Nature
In this short clip, Tsultrim Allione relates the authentic confidence—compassion for others—that arises as a result of knowing that we are awake somewhere underneath our confusion.
Allione, Tsultrim. "Primordial Self Esteem - Being Confident in Our Buddha-Nature." Produced by Tara Mandala, August 25, 2016. Video, 1:17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctgVpDj69Os.
Video
About the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Arne Schelling
In this video Arne Schelling offers information about the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra. The video serves as an introduction to an online buddha-nature study program with Khenpo Chöying Dorje.
Schelling, Arne. "About the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Arne Schelling." Produced by Dharma Mati Berlin, October 9, 2020. Video, 3:56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmbEEbTVcrQ.
Video
Loving-Kindness and Buddha-Nature: Talk by Bardor Tulku Rinpoche at the First Annual Benefit for Kunzang Palchen Ling
At the first annual benefit for Kunzang Palchen Ling, Bardor Tulku Rinpoche gave a talk on loving-kindness and compassion, but the first part of the talk was focused on buddha-nature. Rinpoche emphasizes that any person who truly wants to make a difference in their lives can focus on these teachings of loving-kindness and compassion to liberate themselves from suffering of karma and afflictive emotions.
Bardor Tulku. "Loving Kindness and Buddha-Nature." Produced by Kunzang Palchen Ling, July 11, 2009. Video, 9:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjZrw6T18Tw.
Video
Kalu Rinpoche on Tathāgatagarbha
In this video, part of a four-part lecture on the nature of mind given at the Kamalashila-Institut in Wachendorf, Germany, in 1982, Kalu Rinpoche explains the nature of mind vis-a-vis the concept of tathāgatagarbha, or buddha-nature, and speaks of the mind's innate luminosity. Lama Chökyi Nyima (Richard Barron) translates the talk into English. For the entire four-part series of lectures, visit shangpakagyu.org
Kalu Rinpoche. "Kalu Rinpoche on Tathāgatagarbha." Excerpt from a four-part lecture titled "The Nature of Mind" given at the Kamalashila-Institut, Wachendorf, Germany, 1982. Filmed and edited by Wolfgang Neugebauer. In Tibetan with English translation by Lama Chökyi Nyima (Richard Barron). Video, 17:06. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxUSU8LRYLw.
Video
Filippo Brambilla at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Filippo Brambilla examines how a broad range of philosophical views translated to Tsoknyi Gyatso's (1880–1940) position on buddha-nature. On the basis of key passages from two of his major philosophical works, Brambilla argues that Tsoknyi Gyatso sought to harmonize the orthodox perspective of his own (Jonang) tradition on this subject with that of the Gelukpas.
Brambilla, Filippo. "Empty of True Existence, Yet Full of Qualities. Tshogs gnyis rgya mtsho (1880–1940) on Buddha Nature." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 41:47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1cTYaIFa4g
Video
Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Term Tathāgatagarbha and Other Terms for Buddha-Nature
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Term Tathāgatagarbha and Other Terms for Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 3:15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kODFY9Age7E.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Term Tathāgatagarbha and Other Terms for Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 3:15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kODFY9Age7E.
Video
Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Inspiration Behind His Book When the Clouds Part
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Inspiration Behind His Book When the Clouds Part." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 3:19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR9zvAqlgmM.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Inspiration Behind His Book When the Clouds Part." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 3:19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR9zvAqlgmM.
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On the Future of Buddha-Nature Studies by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl lays out the areas that are yet to be explored within buddha-nature studies. Among the areas he suggests are ripe for exploration are Longchenpa's writings on buddha-nature, the many types of shentong views that exist, as well as the views of various Sakya authors.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “On the Future of Buddha-Nature Studies.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 1:33. https://youtu.be/ex_6hi_58YY.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Supposed Commentary on the Uttaratantra by Marpa Chökyi Lodrö
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Supposed Commentary on the Uttaratantra by Marpa Chökyi Lodrö. Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 4:39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNp5ErprLc.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Supposed Commentary on the Uttaratantra by Marpa Chökyi Lodrö. Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 4:39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLNp5ErprLc.
Video
What Is Luminosity? by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl discusses the concept of luminosity within the context of buddha-nature. While such an idea suggests a sense of light or something that is visual, he explains that it more accurately refers to the natural clarity of the mind that is there all the time.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “What Is Luminosity?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 4:21. https://youtu.be/pOeoZJIHdL8.
Video
Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Views of Dolpopa, the 3rd Karmapa, and Different Views within the Kagyu School
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Views of Dolpopa, the 3rd Karmapa, and Different Views within the Kagyu School." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 5:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLF_ye2wOEg.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Views of Dolpopa, the 3rd Karmapa, and Different Views within the Kagyu School." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 5:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLF_ye2wOEg.
Video
Emptiness or Luminosity: What's the Deal?
Karl Brunnhölzl discusses the qualities of buddha-nature as they relate to emptiness or luminosity with insightful comments about how to relate to each concept in our practice.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "Emptiness or Luminosity: What's the Deal?" Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 2:09. https://youtu.be/5ColQ_xRPYo.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje's View of Buddha-Nature
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje's View of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 8:06. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hI5lAoX4Os.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje's View of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 8:06. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hI5lAoX4Os.
Video
On His Book When the Clouds Part by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl discusses his motivation for writing his book on the Uttaratantra called When the Clouds Part and how the project took shape.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “On His Book When the Clouds Part.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 4:12. https://youtu.be/PrMMjo6fDwg
Video
Karl Brunnhölzl: Jamgön Kongtrül and Other Influences on the View of Buddha-Nature in the Kagyu Tradition
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "Jamgön Kongtrül and Other Influences on the View of Buddha-Nature in the Kagyu Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 3:07. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwASiu1LUPc.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "Jamgön Kongtrül and Other Influences on the View of Buddha-Nature in the Kagyu Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 3:07. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwASiu1LUPc.
Video
What Is Buddha-Nature? by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl provides a brief definition of buddha-nature.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “What Is Buddha-Nature?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 00:46. https://youtu.be/RmB7lZm3jBc.
Video
Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Title of His Talk: What Is My Mind without Me?
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Title of His Talk: What Is My Mind without Me?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 2:48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ0rt0izSzI.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Title of His Talk: What Is My Mind without Me?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 2:48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ0rt0izSzI.
Video
Karl Brunnhölzl: Buddha-Nature Sings Its Song: Tathāgatagarbha and Its Equivalents in the Indian Dohā Tradition
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "Buddha-Nature Sings Its Song: Tathāgatagarbha and Its Equivalents in the Indian Dohā Tradition." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 15:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJJ98iRuBxU
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "Buddha-Nature Sings Its Song: Tathāgatagarbha and Its Equivalents in the Indian Dohā Tradition." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 15:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJJ98iRuBxU
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On How the Uttaratantra Is a Bridge between Sūtra and Tantra
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On How the Uttaratantra Is a Bridge between Sūtra and Tantra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 5:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AHpeg3LPHs.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On How the Uttaratantra Is a Bridge between Sūtra and Tantra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 5:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AHpeg3LPHs.
Video
On Chapter 1 Verse 28 of the Uttaratantra by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl, author of When the Clouds Part, discusses chapter 1 verse 28 of the Uttaratantrashastra, the famous verse in this text which talks about the three reasons all sentient beings have buddha-nature.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “On Chapter 1 Verse 28 of the Uttaratantra.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 5:50. https://youtu.be/6ZTHfbtX5Z8.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's View of Buddha-Nature
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's View of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 4:59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mzukFaO-No.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje's View of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 4:59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mzukFaO-No.
Video
Celebrating Buddha-Nature
On September 19, 2020, the Tsadra Foundation celebrated Buddha-Nature teachings and officially launched an online educational resource. Karma Phuntsho hosted the event as the new Writer-In-Digital-Residence, and we learned more about Buddha-Nature teachings from His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Alak Zenkar Rinpoche, Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Lama Shenpen Hookham, Dr. Karl Brunnhölzl, and Alex Gardner.
Tsadra Foundation. "Buddha-Nature Event: 19 September 2020." Buddha-Nature: A Tsadra Foundation Initiative. Recorded September 19, 2020. Video, 2:33:07. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7AS1Iltnto.
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Vajrayana Practice & Buddha-Nature by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl discusses the relationship between buddha-nature teachings and practice. He explains that, from a disclosure model perspective, practice primarily entails working on the obscurations that cover over one's innate buddha-nature. Furthermore, practice also entails the subtle refinement of practice and eventually the giving up of working on the obscurations, as, from the perspective of buddha-nature, both the obscurations and their remedies reflect a dualistic mind and are both part of the obscurations. The issue then becomes one of recognizing or not recognizing one's own buddha-nature.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “Vajrayana Practice & Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 7:20. https://youtu.be/fEwwwz_dmx8.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Rang stong-Gzhan stong Debate
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Rang stong/Gzhan stong Debate." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 7:06. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcTpx1uyQFQ.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Rang stong/Gzhan stong Debate." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 7:06. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcTpx1uyQFQ.
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Why Study Buddha-Nature? by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl briefly discusses why one might engage with the teachings on buddha-nature. In contrast to the Judeo-Christian concept of Original Sin, he explains that buddha-nature teaches that all beings are essentially good.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “Why Study Buddha-Nature?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 2:07. https://youtu.be/ucYPoDioF_U.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Term Sūtra Mahāmudrā
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Term Sūtra Mahāmudrā." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 3:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNU7HAM0k3o.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Term Sūtra Mahāmudrā." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 3:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNU7HAM0k3o.
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Is Buddha-Nature a Radical Teaching? by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl discusses whether the teachings on buddha-nature can be considered a radical teaching. He suggests that it is indeed radical, as it fundamentally raises questions about who we are and what it means to be on the path.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "Is Buddha-Nature a Radical Teaching?" Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 3:26. https://youtu.be/l86nQ9ac58M.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: What Can We Learn from Buddha-Nature Teachings?
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "What Can We Learn from Buddha-Nature Teachings?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 2:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCS6hnWk1o4.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "What Can We Learn from Buddha-Nature Teachings?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 2:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCS6hnWk1o4.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On His First Encounter with the Buddha-Nature Teachings
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On His First Encounter with the Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 4:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGz9UFYijB8.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On His First Encounter with the Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 4:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGz9UFYijB8.
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The Debate over Buddha-Nature by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl discusses why there has historically been such debate over the teaching of buddha-nature. He suggests that one of the main points of contention has not been whether buddha-nature is considered a Buddhist teaching or not. Rather, the debate has centered around interpretations of what buddha-nature actually means or implies. Does it imply a truly existent nature, or something that has always been there from the beginning? Or does it resemble something more akin to a nonaffirming negation that implies that buddha-nature is ultimately empty. Brunnhölzl explains that many Tibetan thinkers fall somewhere between these two poles.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “The Debate over Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 4:21. https://youtu.be/jMV3uHDWg_o.
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Which Tibetans Wrote about Buddha-Nature? by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl discusses the various Tibetan figures who addressed and wrote about buddha-nature teachings and the Uttaratantra. Among the Tibetans he mentions include: the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje; Dölpopa; Tāranātha; the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje; Gyaltsap Je Darma Rinchen; Jamgön Kongtrul; Mipam Gyamtso; Longchenpa; Gö Lotsāwa; and Śākya Chokden.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “Which Tibetans Wrote about Buddha-Nature?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 6:58. https://youtu.be/wWzrtDltUwE.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Relationship between Pariniṣpanna, Trisvabhāvanirdeśa, and Buddha-Nature
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Relationship between Pariniṣpanna, Trisvabhāvanirdeśa, and Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 2:32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cY6vzxKkyg.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Relationship between Pariniṣpanna, Trisvabhāvanirdeśa, and Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 2:32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cY6vzxKkyg.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On How the Buddha-Nature Teachings Were Transmitted in the Kagyu Tradition
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On How the Buddha-Nature Teachings Were Transmitted in the Kagyu Tradition." Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 5:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr8JyaBxqKw.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On How the Buddha-Nature Teachings Were Transmitted in the Kagyu Tradition." Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 5:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr8JyaBxqKw.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On Karma Kagyu Proponents of Buddha-Nature Theory Prior to the 8th Karmapa
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On Karma Kagyu Proponents of Buddha-Nature Theory Prior to the 8th Karmapa." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 2:57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwkEEYrC-Jw.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On Karma Kagyu Proponents of Buddha-Nature Theory Prior to the 8th Karmapa." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 2:57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwkEEYrC-Jw.
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On the Origins and Authorship of the Uttaratantrashastra by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl responds to a question regarding the origins and authorship of the Uttaratantrashastra. He describes how there is evidence that the Uttaratantra and its commentary was considered to be a singular text in India. However, the issue of when it arrived in Tibet and who brought it there is still a matter for further research.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “On the Origins and Authorship of the Uttaratantrashastra.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 4:31. https://youtu.be/uzRwoCR-85Y.
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Karl Brunnhölzl: On the Naturally Abiding Gotra and the Developing Gotra
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Naturally Abiding Gotra and the Developing Gotra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 4:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kDlMb-ahy0.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. "On the Naturally Abiding Gotra and the Developing Gotra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, February 26, 2022. Video, 4:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kDlMb-ahy0.
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What Is the Purpose of Buddha-Nature Teachings? by Karl Brunnhölzl
Karl Brunnhölzl talks about the purpose of buddha-nature teachings by drawing from the primary Indian source in which they are found, the Uttaratantra. He describes the purpose of such a teaching as eliciting a transformation in outlook, an outlook in which sentient beings do not recognize the true nature of reality. The teachings on buddha-nature point out the unreality of the adventitious stains while also serving to help one uncover the naturally abiding qualities of the mind. From a disclosure model perspective, this has a tremendous impact in terms of practice, in that one only needs to deal with the adventitious stains to reveal what is already there, rather than having to create something anew.
Brunnhölzl, Karl. “What Is the Purpose of Buddha-Nature Teachings?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 3, 2018. Video, 3:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVUa8LOb_4Q.
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Anne Burchardi: On the Sutra Sources for the Uttaratantra and Her Work on the Dharanishvarajasutra
See The Illustrations of the Nine Examples of the Buddha-Nature from the Tathāgatagarbhasūtra by Sofia Burchardi.
Burchardi, Anne. "On the Sutra Sources for the Uttaratantra and Her Work on the Dharanishvarajasutra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 8:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htbHopiQeYg.
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Anne Burchardi: Why the Buddha-Nature Teachings were Taught according to the Uttaratantrashastra
Burchardi, Anne. "Why the Buddha-Nature Teachings were Taught according to the Uttaratantrashastra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 24:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGOlGy59bMU.
Burchardi, Anne. "Why the Buddha-Nature Teachings were Taught according to the Uttaratantrashastra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 24:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGOlGy59bMU.
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Anne Burchardi: Advice on Navigating the Plethora of Available Buddha-Nature Teachings
Burchardi, Anne. "Advice on Navigating the Plethora of Available Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 6:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQTddI3Tv8I.
Burchardi, Anne. "Advice on Navigating the Plethora of Available Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 6:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQTddI3Tv8I.
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Anne Burchardi: On Turning Hardship into the Path
Burchardi, Anne. "On Turning Hardship into the Path." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 4:00. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOhacgM0S3I.
Burchardi, Anne. "On Turning Hardship into the Path." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 4:00. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOhacgM0S3I.
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Anne Burchardi: Buddha-Nature in Practice: How the Notion of "Garbha" Can Be Applied to "Being in the World"
Burchardi, Anne. "Buddha-Nature in Practice: How the Notion of 'Garbha' Can Be Applied to 'Being in the World'." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 18:19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-e9mJqrZIc.
Burchardi, Anne. "Buddha-Nature in Practice: How the Notion of 'Garbha' Can Be Applied to 'Being in the World'." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 18:19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-e9mJqrZIc.
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Anne Burchardi: On the Provisional or Definitive Nature of the Buddha-Nature Teachings
Burchardi, Anne. "On the Provisional or Definitive Nature of the Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 3:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDfD6gzolX4.
Burchardi, Anne. "On the Provisional or Definitive Nature of the Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 3:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDfD6gzolX4.
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Anne Burchardi: On Her First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings
Burchardi, Anne. "On Her First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 11:42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad5Bejnvzc0.
Burchardi, Anne. "On Her First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 11:42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad5Bejnvzc0.
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Anne Burchardi: On Her Work Compiling the Commentaries to the Uttaratantra
Burchardi, Anne. "On Her Work Compiling the Commentaries to the Uttaratantra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 3:18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnNvQ2Zy7Y.
Burchardi, Anne. "On Her Work Compiling the Commentaries to the Uttaratantra." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 18, 2021. Video, 3:18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnNvQ2Zy7Y.
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On the Terminology Associated with Buddha-Nature by Elizabeth Callahan
In this video Elizabeth Callahan discusses the various terminology that is used when talking about buddha-nature. She describes buddha-nature as who we are at our very core and goes on to discuss several terms that are associated with uncovering this buddha-nature within Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna, and Mahāmudrā contexts.
Callahan, Elizabeth. “On the Terminology Associated with Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 9, 2019. Video, 8:29. https://youtu.be/ValneCRetjc.
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On the Term Ordinary Mind by Elizabeth Callahan
In this video Elizabeth Callahan explains the term ordinary mind, a term that is often used in the Kagyu tradition, and its use as a term to describe buddha-nature. Ordinary mind, she explains, is the nature of mind that is not in its deluded state.
Callahan, Elizabeth. “On the Term Ordinary Mind.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 9, 2019. Video, 2:16. https://youtu.be/qx1NAke8aV0
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What Is Buddha-Nature? by Elizabeth Callahan
In this video Elizabeth Callahan discusses the meaning of buddha-nature, a term that, she describes, refers to who sentient beings really are. Buddha-nature is not something that we have to acquire. Rather it is always present as our best qualities. She goes on to discuss how buddha-nature is sometimes made manifest or recognizable during moments of great suffering and tragedy.
Callahan, Elizabeth. “What Is Buddha-Nature?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 9, 2019. Video, 3:00. https://youtu.be/0vOxXvDIpsU.
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John Canti: On How Buddha-Nature Teachings Have Affected Him
Canti, John. "On How Buddha-Nature Teachings Have Affected Him." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 6:52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bB9UgVKuAg.
Canti, John. "On How Buddha-Nature Teachings Have Affected Him." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 6:52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bB9UgVKuAg.
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John Canti: On His First Encounter with Buddhism and Buddha-Nature Teachings
Canti, John. "On His First Encounter with Buddhism and Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 10:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fylGv8Y2xtU.
Canti, John. "On His First Encounter with Buddhism and Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 10:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fylGv8Y2xtU.
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John Canti: On the Uttaratantra in Relation to the Other Works of Maitreya
Canti, John. "On the Uttaratantra in Relation to the Other Works of Maitreya." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 20:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EHovcbdGAg.
Canti, John. "On the Uttaratantra in Relation to the Other Works of Maitreya." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 20:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EHovcbdGAg.
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John Canti: On Luminosity and It's Relationship to the Kāyas and Emptiness
Canti, John. "On Luminosity and It's Relationship to the Kāyas and Emptiness." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 7:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSKgamUZQEc.
Canti, John. "On Luminosity and It's Relationship to the Kāyas and Emptiness." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 7:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSKgamUZQEc.
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John Canti: How Can We Amplify the Message about Buddha-Nature?
Canti, John. "How Can We Amplify the Message about Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 7:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVPhTSMkeM.
Canti, John. "How Can We Amplify the Message about Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 7:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVPhTSMkeM.
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John Canti: On What Inspired Him to Work on the Uttaratantra & Mipham's Commentary
Canti, John. "On What Inspired Him to Work on the Uttaratantra & Mipham's Commentary." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 4:19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl7x8gHmgiI.
Canti, John. "On What Inspired Him to Work on the Uttaratantra & Mipham's Commentary." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 4:19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl7x8gHmgiI.
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John Canti: On the Relationship between Buddha-Nature and lhan cig skyes pa'i ye shes
Canti, John. "On the Relationship between Buddha-Nature and lhan cig skyes pa'i ye shes." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 7:57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCoD5qgJcQ.
Canti, John. "On the Relationship between Buddha-Nature and lhan cig skyes pa'i ye shes." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 7:57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCoD5qgJcQ.
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John Canti: On the Legends behind the Five Treatises of Maitreya
Canti, John. "On the Legends behind the Five Treatises of Maitreya." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 7:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soU-n3Gb59o.
Canti, John. "On the Legends behind the Five Treatises of Maitreya." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 7:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soU-n3Gb59o.
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John Canti: On the Challenges of Translating Terms Like Tathāgatagarbha, Gotra, Dhātu, etc.
Canti, John. "On the Challenges of Translating Terms Like Tathāgatagarbha, Gotra, Dhātu, etc." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 14:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg5Sk2XFmlA.
Canti, John. "On the Challenges of Translating Terms Like Tathāgatagarbha, Gotra, Dhātu, etc." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 14:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg5Sk2XFmlA.
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John Canti: How Does Mipham View the 2nd and 3rd Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma?
Canti, John. "How Does Mipham View the 2nd and 3rd Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 1:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKtdyH0JJdI.
Canti, John. "How Does Mipham View the 2nd and 3rd Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 25, 2022. Video, 1:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKtdyH0JJdI.
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Christian Charrier & Patrick Carré at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Christian Charrier and Patrick Carré share insights from their new translation of 'Jam mgon Kong sprul’s commentary on the Uttaratantraśāstra into French entitled Traité de la Continuité suprême du Grand Véhicule.
Charrier, Christian, and Patrick Carré. "Uttaratantraśāstra: A New French Translation from Tibetan According to ‘Jam mgon Kong sprul’s Commentary." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 40:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgz0XThTwGE.
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Potprecha Cholvijarn: On the Inspiration behind His Study of Self & Non-Self Debates in the Thai Theravāda Tradition
Cholvijarn, Potprecha. "On the Inspiration behind His Study of Self & Non-Self Debates in the Thai Theravāda Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, March 28, 2022. Video, 2:18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9AAxD_wZcM.
Cholvijarn, Potprecha. "On the Inspiration behind His Study of Self & Non-Self Debates in the Thai Theravāda Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, March 28, 2022. Video, 2:18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9AAxD_wZcM.
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Potprecha Cholvijarn: On the Background to the Nibbāna as Self or Not-Self Debate
Cholvijarn, Potprecha. "On the Background to the Nibbāna as Self or Not-Self Debate." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, March 28, 2022. Video, 6:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9L-KcGTJQs.
Cholvijarn, Potprecha. "On the Background to the Nibbāna as Self or Not-Self Debate." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, March 28, 2022. Video, 6:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9L-KcGTJQs.
Audio
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (Audio Book)
Zen mind is one of those enigmatic phrases used by Zen teachers to throw you back upon yourself, to make you go behind the words themselves and begin wondering. "I know what my own mind is," you tell yourself, "but what is Zen mind?" And then: "But do I really know what my own mind is?" Is it what I am doing now? Is it what I am thinking now?" And if you should then try to sit physically still for a while to see if you can locate it—then you have begun the practice of Zen, then you have begun to realize the unrestricted mind.

The innocence of this first inquiry—just asking what you are—is beginner's mind. The mind of the beginner is needed throughout Zen practice. It is the open mind, the attitude that includes both doubt and possibility, the ability to see things always as fresh and new. It is needed in all aspects of life. Beginner's mind is the practice of Zen mind.

This book originated from a series of talks given by Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki to a small group is Los Altos, California. He joined their meditation periods once a week and afterwards answered their questions and tried to encourage them in their practice of Zen and help them solve the problems of life. His approach is informal, and he draws his examples from ordinary events and common sense. Zen is now and here, he is saying; it can be as meaningful for the West as for the East. But his fundamental teaching and practice and drawn from all the centuries of Zen Buddhism and especially from Dogen, one of the most important and creative of all Zen Masters.

This book is about how to practice Zen as a workable discipline and religion, about posture and breathing, about the basic attitudes and understanding that makes Zen practice possible, about non-duality, emptiness, and enlightenment. Here one begins to understand what Zen is really about. And, most important of all, every page breathes with the joy and simplicity that make a liberated life possible. (Source: inside jacket)


To follow along with the text, click here
Suzuki, Shunryu. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. Read by Peter Coyote. Audio, 2:56:20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vDfq1Yt5to.
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It Is Your Buddha Nature That Sees, Hears and Speaks!―Dharma Talk by Daehaeng Kun Sunim
In this Dharma teaching, Daehaeng Kun Sunim (1927–2012), a Seon (Zen) master and Buddhist nun from Korea, responds to questions about the concept of Juingong (the underlying mind) from an audience member.
Daehaeng Kun Sunim. "It Is Your Buddha Nature That Sees, Hears and Speaks!" Produced by the Hanmaum Seon Center. Video, 7:28. https://youtu.be/WGueeTv1fq0.
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Buddha-Nature: Taught by Cortland Dahl, October 2019
Cortland Dahl teaches a four-part series on buddha-nature during the month of October 2019 at the Tergar Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Each talk begins with a brief 15–20 minute meditation session.
Dahl, Cortland. "Buddha-Nature." Pt. 1 of 4. Recorded at Tergar Madison Meditation Center, Madison, WI, October 10, 2019. Audio, 1:31:21. https://soundcloud.com/tergar/buddha-nature-cortland-dahl-20191010-tmad.
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Khenpo Dakpa Senge on Rongtön’s Understanding of Buddha-Nature
རོང་སྟོན་ཤེས་བྱ་ཀུན་རིག་གི་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོའི་དགོངས་བཞེད།
Rongtön Sheja Kunrig’s Understanding of Buddha-Nature


Khenpo begins by stating that he will be mainly explaining the position of Rongton Sheja Kunrig, whose understanding of buddha-nature is further clarified by Gorampa Sonam Senge, although the two do not always completely concur. Explaining the Sanskrit words kulla and gotra, he highlights how without the Buddha element, or spiritual gene, it is not possible to wish for happiness and grow tired of suffering and seek the state of enlightenment. However, all sentient beings possess the buddha-nature, which Khenpo identifies as the union of emptiness and appearance.

The element, in the lower Buddhist philosophical schools, is considered as a conditioned seed for liberation. However, in the Mādhyamika school according to the Sakya tradition, buddha-nature is the union of the subtle intrinsic luminous nature of the consciousness and its ultimate nature, which is emptiness free from all elaborations. Khenpo lists the five positions on buddha-nature which Gorampa refuted, including the assertion that (1) buddha-nature is a nonimplicative negation, (2) there are two types of buddha-nature, one which is conditioned and the other which is unconditioned, (3) beings are without buddha-nature, (4) the two phases of buddha-nature are contradictory, and (5) buddha-nature is the truly existent intrinsic nature.

Khenpo further explains the difference between Rongton and Gorampa in explaining the verse presenting the three arguments for the presence of buddha-nature in all beings. This led to an intense discussion on whether one of the arguments is a sufficient reason on its own to prove the existence of buddha-nature in all beings or whether all three are required to make it a complete and valid argument.
Dakpa Senge, Khenpo. "Khenpo Dakpa Senge at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 1, Talk 4. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 57:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z18KEtcFI_o.
Video
The Furthest Everlasting Continuum and Three Principal Aspects of the Path
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's three-day teaching on The Furthest Everlasting Continuum (Sanskrit - Uttaratantra; Tibetan - Gyü Lama) and Tsongkhapa's Three Principal Aspects of the Path at the request of Russian Buddhists at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, HP, India on May 10–12, 2019. On the third day His Holiness conducts the ceremony for generating the awakening mind (bodhichitta). His Holiness speaks in Tibetan followed by an English translation. Note: In the first 27 minutes of part 1, there are technical difficulties with the English translation.
Dalai Lama, 14th. "The Furthest Everlasting Continuum and Three Principal Aspects of the Path." Pt. 1 of 3. Produced by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Recorded at the Main Tibetan Temple, Dharamsala, H.P., India, May 10, 2019. Video, 55:33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faL13tq0M1s.
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Discourse on the Uttaratantra: A Talk by The 14th Dalai Lama in Holland
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama teaches in a traditional line-by-line commentary of the Mahayanottaratantrashashtra in this video from Holland in 1986. Alexander Berzin interprets His Holiness into English. Seven diamond-strong points of the in five chapters, the first four points, which introduce "the source", or buddha-nature, are presented in the first chapter, the second chapter discusses the fifth point, the state of purified growth of enlightenment fifth point, the third chapter presents the sixth point which is the qualities of that state of purified growth, the fourth deals with the seventh point, the enlightening influence, and the fifth chapter discusses the benefits of studying the text. The text itself discusses the clear light nature of the mind which is covered over by cognitive and afflictive obscurations. Once these obscurations have been purified, the clear light nature of mind is revealed.
Dalai Lama, 14th. "Discourse on Uttaratantra." Pt. 1 of 4. Interpreted by Alexander Berzin, Filmed May 1986 in Holland. Produced by Study Buddhism. Video, 1:37:22, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsiVRQ3T6EY.
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The Dalai Lama Speaks on Nyingma Dzogchen Nature of the Mind
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama speaks at UCSB on the Nyingma Dzogchen nature of the mind in 2009, with translation by Thupten Jinpa.
Dalai Lama, 14th. "The Dalai Lama Speaks on Nyingma Dzogchen Nature of the Mind." Talk delivered at UC Santa Barbara, April 24, 2009 at the UCSB Events Center. Translation by Thupten Jinpa. Video, 15:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM32T-MJAf0.
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The Fourteenth Dalai Lama on Buddha-Nature
The Dalai Lama delivers an address entitled "Buddha-Nature" to members of the Theosophical Society in America at the Society's headquarters at Olcott (named for the founder of the Theosophical Society, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott), in Wheaton, Illinois, on July 21st, 1981. The Dalai Lama's comments on buddha-nature come after a series of preliminary remarks at 14 min, 23 secs.
Dalai Lama, 14th. "The Fourteenth Dalai Lama on Buddha-Nature." Produced by the Theosophical Society in America, Olcott, Wheaton, Illinois, July 21, 1981. Video, 29:03. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tkf5cgX5ds.
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Lopen Damcho Dorji on Buddha-Nature in Drukpa Kagyu Tradition
འབྲུག་པ་དཀར་བརྒྱུད་ལ་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོའི་དགོངས་བཞེད་ཉམས་ལེན་སྐོར།
On Understanding and Practice of Buddha-Nature in Drukpa Kagyu Tradition


Explaining the concept of spiritual gene, or gotra, in the Madhyamaka tradition in general through citations from sūtras and commentarial literature, Lopen Damcho Dorji presents Buddha-Nature in the Drukpa Kagyu school, particularly as found in the writings of Pema Karpo, as the sphere of reality which is the emptiness free from all elaborations, specifically the emptiness of the mental consciousness. Pema Karpo, he explains, considers an emptiness transcending all extremes of existence, nonexistence, both, and neither to be buddha-nature and not a mere negation of true existence.

Pema Karpo also asserted that both the naturally present spiritual gene and the acquired spiritual gene are in reality the unconditioned innate reality, given different names for being totally obscured or partially obscured. While the naturally present spiritual gene exists in all beings, the acquired spiritual gene, or the spiritual gene which has some of its obscuration removed, is only associated with the sublime Mahāyāna beings. Lopen Damcho Dorji also points out that buddha-nature in the Drukpa Kagyu tradition is not an emptiness which is a mere nonimplicative negation but rather an emptiness endowed with all qualities because the buddha-nature of sentient beings is not different from that of the Buddha. Such buddha-nature or emptiness endowed with all qualities is then only realized by Mahāyāna saints and not by other beings, as they possess the four types of defilements which obscure the buddha-nature. He goes on to discuss how the conceptual mind by nature is the dharmakāya, or the gnosis of the Buddha, according to the Kagyu tradition.
Damcho Dorji, Lopen. "Lopen Damcho Dorji at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 1, Talk 3. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 1:02:54. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYCweSM0sX8.
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Khenpo Dawa Tsering on Buddha-Nature in the Single Intent and Drikung Tradition
དམ་ཆོས་དགོངས་གཅིག་གཞིར་བཟུང་ནས་དཔལ་འབྲི་གུང་བཀའ་བརྒྱུད་པའི་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོའི་དགོངས་བཞེད་བཤད་པ།
Explaining the Drigung Kagyu Understanding of Buddha-Nature Based on the Single Intent


Khenpo Dawa Tsering starts by mentioning how buddha-nature is a profound and difficult topic to fathom even by enlightened beings, and he can merely make an attempt. In his presentation, Khenpo presents the theory and practice of buddha-nature in the Drigung Kagyu tradition, primarily based on the two verses on buddha-nature found in the Single Intent of Drigung Kyobpa Jikten Gönpo. To put it in historical context, he shares that Jikten Sumgon lived in the 12th century and the Single Intent has since had commentaries written on it not only by Drigung masters but also by Kagyu and Nyingma masters.

Based on the Single Intent, he confirms that the Drigung understanding of buddha-nature aligns with the direct experiential meditative tradition rather than the inferential and exegetical tradition. Out of many verses comprising 150 points in the Single Intent, there are only two lines explicitly mentioning buddha-nature. Like the Kagyu and Nyingma schools, the Drigung school also accepts that buddha-nature has the sublime qualities of the Buddha latent in it. These sublime qualities are, however, obscured by the impurities, which do not really penetrate or contaminate the actual state of buddha-nature.

In this respect, the term glo bur, or adventitious, does not have a temporal connotation of something happening suddenly and temporarily. The impurities have been around since the beginning. Rather, the term refers to the removable or separable nature of the impurities which cover buddha-nature. Following the Kagyu tradition originating in Dvagpopa, or Gampopa Sonam Rinchen, the Drigung school asserts that buddha-nature avoids the problems of denial and exaggeration. Because buddha-nature is free from or empty of impurities, it avoids the problem of imposition or exaggeration. Because buddha-nature primordially possesses noble qualities, it avoids the problem of denial or rejection.

Buddha-nature endowed with all sublime qualities of enlightenment is presented as being unconditioned and eternal, and three names of the impure, partially pure, and fully pure are used to refer to it in three stages. Just like Devadatta is known as a gardener for gardening, cook while cooking, etc., buddha-nature is also given three different titles at three stages, although it is one and the same in its essence.

According to the Single Intent, the third wheel of dharma on buddha-nature is said to be clearly definitive, while the middle wheel is not fully definitive, as it also teaches emptiness which is a nominal ultimate. Khenpo also adds that the two truths are perspectives and not two different ontological states and that the sūtras often classed as Mind Only-sūtras are considered as ultimately Mādhyamika. Sūtras themselves cannot be classed as Mind Only or Middle Way sūtras. While the three wheels of dharma are considered as progressive teachings for a person to follow gradually, the Single Intent also claims that the three wheels of dharma differ in focus and emphasis and they share all aspects with varying stress.
Dawa Tsering, Khenpo. "Khenpo Dawa Tsering at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 2, Talk 2. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu, June 1–3. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 59:21. https://youtu.be/_TvzvS2GUt4.
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Maitreya's Sublime Continuum on Buddha Nature by Don Handrick
"Maitreya's Sublime Continuum on Buddha Nature" by Don Handrick


A part of "The Life and Legacy of Lama Tsongkhapa" presented by Tse Chen Ling

This event was held at Tse Chen Ling in San Francisco on September 20 and 21, 2019. Over the course of two days (three sessions), Don Handrick examined Tsongkhapa's exposition of enlightenment based on Maitreya's text "Sublime Continuum."

Maitreya's "Sublime Continuum" on Buddha Nature

What is enlightenment? How is it possible? Who can achieve it? One of Mahayana Buddhism’s most important teachings is the doctrine of tathagatagarbha, or buddha nature, the innate pure and changeless essence of the mind which gives rise to the fundamental potential for each being to attain full enlightenment or buddhahood. In this course we will examine selected verses from the first chapter of Maitreya’s Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana (Mahayana-uttaratantra Shastra), a text replete with rich poetic imagery and metaphor, to explore this profound and inspiring topic. . . .

"The Life and Legacy of Lama Tsongkhapa"

Je Tsongkhapa Lobsang Drakpa (1357- 1419) was one of the greatest figures in the history of Tibetan Buddhism and the founder of the Gelug tradition. The year 2019 marked the 600th anniversary of Lama Tsongkhapa's parinirvana. To celebrate this, Tse Chen Ling offered a 14-month long series of programs that celebrated the life and lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa. These programs reflected the core teachings and unique features of the Gelug tradition. (Source Accessed Nov 12, 2020)
Handrick, Don. "Maitreya's Sublime Continuum on Buddha Nature." Pt. 1 of 3. Produced by Tse Chen Ling Center, San Francisco, September 20–21, 2019. Video, 2:01:28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myqf_aYQf6I.
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Revealing Your Buddha-Nature: Teaching by Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche at the 2012 PBC Dzogchen Winter Retreat
On January 14, 2012, during the first teaching of the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center's Dzogchen Winter Retreat on the Buddha of Compassion in West Palm Beach, Florida, Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche taught on how to reveal the buddha-nature within us by using the Vajrayana methods taught by Buddha Shakyamuni, Guru Padmasambhava, Tsasum Lingpa, Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, and so many great lineage masters.


In English with his direct, characteristic humor, Khenpo Rinpoche presents the "shining star" of buddha-nature in the minds of sentient beings as the same nature as the buddhas. He says, "We are always guided by this nature all the time whether we realize it or not."

Rinpoche talks about two techniques: the gradual approach and the instant approach. The sūtra approach, the causal Mahayana using of kindness, compassion, joy to achieve the result through gradual effort, and the tantra approach: the resultant Mahayana. Whether it's the causal or resultant approach, the same motivation needs to be present.
Dongyal, Khenpo Tsewang. "Revealing Your Buddha-Nature." Filmed January 14, 2012 in West Palm Beach, FL. Video, 9:55, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFDWZyMgOQQ.
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Karmapa on the Buddha-Nature School: Celebrating the Buddha-Nature Website Inauguration
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, gave a speech in celebration of the launch of the Buddha-Nature website by the Tsadra Foundation and he discussed the connection of the Karma Kagyu lineage with Buddha-Nature teachings, as well as his thoughts on the term "Buddha-Nature School."
Karmapa, 17th. "Karmapa on the Buddha-Nature School: Celebrating the Buddha-Nature Website Inauguration." Filmed September 19, 2020. Video, 9:23. https://youtu.be/DKmkQkzVqJ8.
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Karmapa on the Nature of Mind
[START at 6 min 45 secs]. On the morning of January 3, 2013, the Gyalwang Karmapa gave an impromptu teaching on the nature of mind to a large group of international students gathered at the Root Institute for Wisdom Culture, Bodhgaya. Teaching in a mixture of Tibetan and English, he began the session by inviting questions from the students gathered. The first question was soon put forward: How do we experience Buddha-nature on a practical level? "I thought that if you asked me questions it would make it easier for me," he joked in English in response to the depth of the question, adding, "But this question makes it more complicated for me!"

As the laughter died down, the Gyalwang Karmapa delivered a profound and reasoned teaching on Buddha-nature and the nature of mind. "All sentient beings are endowed with the potential for complete Buddhahood," he began.

They are inherently Buddhas, and inherently that Buddha-nature is completely free of any stains -- it is stainless, and perfect. Yet, at the level of relative or immediate experience, our experience is not this way. Our experience is that this perfectly pure Buddha-nature is veiled by our confused outlook.

Shifting the teaching to a deeper level, the Gyalwang Karmapa then described the dharmakaya, or the Buddha's enlightened mind. "Lord Gampopa said that the nature of thoughts is dharmakaya," he explained.

Thoughts and dharmakaya are inseparable. We have this dualistic approach of seeing dharmakaya as pure and thoughts as impure, but we need to understand the inseparability of thoughts and dharmakaya.

The Gyalwang Karmapa spoke directly in English as he continued:

Every moment that we have thought, every moment that thought arises, we have the opportunity to recognize the nature of thought as emptiness or dharmakaya, whatever you want to call it. Thought and the emptiness of its nature are inseparable. We can't make them separate; there's no separation. Because thought itself is emptiness that means actually in everyday life we have lots of opportunity to recognize and realize the nature of thought, or nature of emptiness, or dharmakaya. But we just follow the appearances, the illusions -- we don't look deeper.

The Gyalwang Karmapa then responded to several more questions from the audience, teaching briefly on the progressive views of emptiness within Tibetan Buddhism which culminate in the final Madhyamaka view. The final questioner echoed the thoughts of many gathered when she asked the Gyalwang Karmapa how his students could help and support him. "I feel energized and inspired by all the love and the support that I receive from all of you. That really is sufficient. I don't need anything more than your love and support," he replied, to resounding applause.

Continuing an annual tradition, the teaching took place at the request of the Root Institute for Wisdom Culture. The Gyalwang Karmapa taught to an overflowing gompa, with hundreds of students spilling out into the surrounding balconies and gardens. In addition to mostly international students, the audience also included local Indian children from the Root Institute's school.
Karmapa, 17th. "The Nature of Mind: A Teaching at the Root Institute." Filmed January 3, 2013 in Bodhgaya, India. Produced by Tsurphu Labrang Media. Video, 1:04:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_uccsZNg5g.
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Karmapa on The Nature of All Beings
A commentary across lifetimes. H.H. the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, comments on a quote of the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje: "The nature of all beings is always Buddha" (འགྲོ་བའི་རང་བཞིན་རྟག་ཏུ་སངས་རྒྱས་).
Karmapa, 17th. "All Beings Are Buddha by Nature." Interview with H.H. Karmapa conducted at Vajra Vidja Institute, Sarnath, Varanasi, India, February 2015. Video, 1:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pll8nGuWtU&list=PL8sDrkwWlohTjleLphxWRmLge5hgbpAXM.
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Martina Draszczyk at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Martina Draszczyk discusses the early Kagyu masters and explores how their meditation-oriented approach is based in both affirming buddha-nature as the ground and goal of Buddhist soteriology and avoiding its reification into an entity with real properties.
Draszczyk, Martina. "Buddha Nature as Seen by Early Bka’ brgyud Masters." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 37:27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoMUdg40Qv8.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On Doing Tonglen Practice for Oneself
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Doing Tonglen Practice for Oneself." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 5:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vx6RYW55MQ.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Doing Tonglen Practice for Oneself." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 5:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vx6RYW55MQ.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On Pharmaceuticals
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Pharmaceuticals." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 3:42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RIcd-z0QlI.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Pharmaceuticals." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 3:42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RIcd-z0QlI.
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Lama Palden Drolma: Is Buddha-Nature a Teaching That Is Universal?
Drolma, Lama Palden. "Is Buddha-Nature a Teaching That Is Universal?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 4:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMxLlbsnyZQ.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "Is Buddha-Nature a Teaching That Is Universal?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 4:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMxLlbsnyZQ.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On the Relationship between Tonglen and Buddha-Nature
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On the Relationship between Tonglen and Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 7:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oFJwIe3YTw.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On the Relationship between Tonglen and Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 7:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oFJwIe3YTw.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On Narcissism
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Narcissism." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 2:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4-lgGEw5pk.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Narcissism." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 2:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4-lgGEw5pk.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On The Meaning of Vajrayana and Deity Practice
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On The Meaning of Vajrayana and Deity Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 2:35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnThhCzPHII.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On The Meaning of Vajrayana and Deity Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 2:35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnThhCzPHII.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On Her First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Her First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 6:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6ZRuxvQRdQ.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Her First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 6:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6ZRuxvQRdQ.
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Lama Palden Drolma: A Guided Tonglen Meditation Practice
Drolma, Lama Palden. "A Guided Tonglen Meditation Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 15:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf4VmQ6eQcI.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "A Guided Tonglen Meditation Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 15:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf4VmQ6eQcI.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On Bringing Tonglen Practice to New Audiences
Drolma, Lama Palden. On "Bringing Tonglen Practice to New Audiences." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 6:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c6UNBP3yAg.
Drolma, Lama Palden. On "Bringing Tonglen Practice to New Audiences." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 6:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c6UNBP3yAg.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On Incorporating Vajrayana Practices into a Therapeutic Setting
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Incorporating Vajrayana Practices into a Therapeutic Setting." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 5:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVZtWqLMOE8.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On Incorporating Vajrayana Practices into a Therapeutic Setting." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 5:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVZtWqLMOE8.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On the Sukhasiddhi Foundation
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On the Sukhasiddhi Foundation." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 2:20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFtv8xBeI8.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On the Sukhasiddhi Foundation." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 2:20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlFtv8xBeI8.
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Lama Palden Drolma: On the Shangpa Kagyu Tradition
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On the Shangpa Kagyu Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 8:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmOphVCSuhE.
Drolma, Lama Palden. "On the Shangpa Kagyu Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 27, 2021. Video, 8:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmOphVCSuhE.
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On the Topic of Buddha-Nature Understood as Luminosity versus Buddha-Nature Understood as Emptiness by Douglas Duckworth
Douglas Duckworth discusses the debate about buddha-nature understood as luminosity (or as having qualities) versus buddha-nature understood as emptiness.
Duckworth, Douglas. "On the Topic of Buddha-Nature Understood as Luminosity (or as Having Qualities) versus Buddha-Nature Understood as Emptiness." Interview by Alex Gardner. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 20, 2018. Video, 7:24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezum9pXNl44.
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Buddha Nature in Tibet: Transformation of the Ground: Talk by Douglas Duckworth
This talk will address syntheses forged in Tibet among the doctrines of Madhyamaka, Yogācāra, and buddha-nature (tathāgatagarbha). Buddha-nature is a distinctively Mahāyāna Buddhist doctrine, taking a place along side of the Yogācāra doctrine of the basic consciousness (ālayavijñāna) and the universal emptiness (śūnyatā) of Madhyamaka. In Tibet we see buddha-nature converge with and transform these central Mahāyāna doctrines. Paired with buddha-nature, the doctrine of emptiness in Madhyamaka pivots from a “self-empty” lack of intrinsic nature to an “other-empty,” pure ground that remains. In narratives of disclosure characteristic of the doctrine of buddha-nature, we see parallel shifts in the foundations of Yogācāra, as grounds of distortion like the basic consciousness, the dependent nature, and self-awareness are reinscribed into a causal story that takes place within a pure, gnostic ground. (Source Accessed July 15, 2020)
Duckworth, Douglas S. "Buddha Nature in Tibet: Transformation of the Ground." Recorded 2017 at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Nepal. Audio, 1:24:26. https://soundcloud.com/rangjung-yeshe-institute/dr-douglas-duckworth-buddha-nature-in-tibet-transformations-of-the-ground.
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On the Concepts of Presence and Absence as a Means for Understanding Buddha-Nature by Douglas Duckworth
Douglas Duckworth discusses the concepts of presence and absence as a means for understanding buddha-nature and touches on his work on Mipam Gyatso.
Duckworth, Douglas. "On the Concepts of Presence and Absence as a Means for Understanding Buddha-Nature." Interview by Alex Gardner. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 20, 2018. Video, 7:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f_Yf9U1SF8&t=3s.
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On the Dialectical Relationship between Presence and Absence in Discussions on Buddha-Nature by Douglas Duckworth
Douglas Duckworth talks about the dialectical relationship between the notions of presence and absence in discussions on buddha-nature.
Duckworth, Douglas. "On the Dialectical Relationship between Presence and Absence in Discussions on Buddha-Nature." Interview by Alex Gardner. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 20, 2018. Video, 11:07. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCDDayidTRI.
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Douglas Duckworth at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Douglas Duckworth presents how buddha-nature is interpreted by Mipam Gyatso (1846–1912). He shows that while Mipam accepts that the qualities of the buddha are primordially present, unconditioned, and not newly produced, they are also empty of inherent existence.
Duckworth, Douglas. "Sentient Beings Within: Buddha-Nature and the Great Perfection." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 42:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slBWdnUfS8w.
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On Buddha-Nature and Emptiness by Douglas Duckworth
Douglas Duckworth discusses the concept of buddha-nature vis-a-vis the notion of emptiness.
Duckworth, Douglas. "On Buddha-Nature and Emptiness." Interview by Alex Gardner. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 20, 2018. Video, 6:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuTyzVZH8S8.
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A Definition of Buddha-Nature by Douglas Duckworth
Douglas Duckworth offers a definition of buddha-nature.
Duckworth, Douglas. "A Definition of Buddha-Nature." Interview by Alex Gardner. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 20, 2018. Video, 8:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvBflqZ4t2w.
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Buddha-Nature: Teaching by Khenpo Dudjom Dorjee Rinpoche at Karma Thegsum Choling Dallas
Khenpo Dudjom Dorjee Rinpoche speaks on the inherent buddha-nature of beings using traditional metaphors: like a jewel, free from any impurities and powerful to relieve suffering; like the sky, unchanging and free from clouds; and like water, naturally pure.
Dorjee, Dudjom. "Buddha Nature." Produced by Karma Thegsum Chöling Dallas, February 21, 2010. Video, 8:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfH82y-pLW0.
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Compassion, Love, and Buddha Nature
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche explains the origins of love and compassion as the first step to love ourselves so we can love others. Recorded in Hartford, CT., May 2013.
Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, (The 7th). "Compassion, Love, and Buddha Nature." Produced by Rebel Buddha TV, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, May 27, 2013. Video, 3:42. https://vimeo.com/67070265.
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Teachings on the Uttaratantra by Gyumed Khensur Lobsang Jampa Rinpoche
Do Ngak Kunphen Ling of Redding, CT and the Mahayana Sutra and Tantra Center of New Jersey are pleased to announce an extraordinary nine-day teaching to be given by Gyumed Khensur Lobsang Jampa Rinpoche on the singularly important Buddhist philosophical work entitled The Treatise on the Higher Doctrine of the Great Vehicle (S: Mahāyānottaratantra¬śāstra, T: Theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma’i bstan bcos), which is also known by the name Distinguishing the Spiritual Lineage of the Three Jewels (S: Ratnagotravibhāga, T: dKon mchog gi rigs rnam par dbye ba). This treatise is one of the Five Teachings of Maitreya, all of which were said to have been revealed to Asanga by the Bodhisattva Maitreya. The central teaching of the Higher Doctrine is the topic of the “spiritual lineage” (Skt: gotram, Wyl: rigs), which is known popularly as “Buddha Nature” and represents the quality, both in a potential and an actualized form, by means of which all sentient beings possess the ability to attain the supreme enlightenment of a Buddha. The root text of the Higher Doctrine, written in verse form, comprises five chapters that are organized around seven “adamantine” topics. The first chapter deals with the first four topics, which are the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, and the spiritual lineage. Each of the next three chapters deals with the remaining three topics of enlightenment, a Buddha’s virtuous qualities, and a Buddha’s enlightened activities. The concluding chapter describes the benefits that are gained by a person who possesses devotion toward the subject matter presented in the treatise.
Khensur, Gyumed. "Uttaratantra (Buddha Nature)." Pt. 1 of 16. Streamed live on August 13, 2016 by Do Ngak Kunphen Ling and the Mahayana Sutra and Tantra Center of New Jersey. Video, 1:49:55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIeSENCwGzI.
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We Are Frozen
If you remove the cold from the ice, it becomes what it has always been - water. Our buddha nature is like water under the influence of the cold, the poisons of the mind.
Everest, Tsering. "We Are Frozen." Pt. 1 of 2. Filmed April 28, 2019 at Chagdud Gonpa Odsal Ling, Brazil. Video, 8:39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcsNP5fumks.
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Longchenpa's View of Buddha-Nature by Wulstan Fletcher
Wulstan Fletcher discusses the unique way in which Longchenpa (1308-1364) approaches the topic of buddha-nature in his writings. Here he describes Longchenpa's language as somewhat difficult to understand, given his often poetic manner of expression. Furthermore, he also talks about the manner in which Longchenpa combines the second and third turning of the wheel of the Dharma and how he sees them as inseparable. Always speaking from the point of view of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen), Lonchenpa's approach was one that would influence later Nyingmapa thinkers such as Mipham Rinpoche.
Fletcher, Wulstan. “Longchenpa's View of Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 9, 2019. Video, 7:06. https://youtu.be/JOTrcR3gndI.
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On His Personal Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings by Wulstan Fletcher
Wulstan Fletcher describes his own experience with the teachings of buddha-nature. In particular he speaks about how his study of the emptiness teachings of Madhyamaka has been essential to his understanding of buddha-nature. He goes on to discuss how practice is a means of developing the recognition of the buddha-nature within.
Fletcher, Wulstan. “On His Personal Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 9, 2019. Video, 7:39. https://youtu.be/IqAWmB_nDRM.
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On Mipham and the Nyingma Approach to Buddha-Nature by Wulstan Fletcher
Wulstan Fletcher discusses Mipham's view of buddha-nature. He describes how he was influenced by Longchenpa's view of the inseparability of the second and third turnings of the wheel of the Dharma. He goes on to discuss Mipham's approach to the two truths (conventional and ultimate), in particular the way in which ultimate reality is described as the union of the two truths. Buddha-nature, he explains, is that which transcends the duality of permanence and impermanence. It is a permanence that transcends this binary. However, for Mipham, and more generally for the Nyingma, buddha-nature is not to be understood as a "real" substantive thing. Nor is it to be understood as a nonaffirming negation, as a mere emptiness.
Fletcher, Wulstan. “On Mipham and the Nyingma Approach to Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 9, 2019. Video, 19:04. https://youtu.be/ZUquZdCSXA8.
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What Is Buddha-Nature? by Wulstan Fletcher
Wulstan Fletcher explains buddha-nature as the deepest aspect of oneself, a wellspring of goodness and wisdom that is always present. One only needs to uncover it in order to experience true happiness. He describes it as something that can be relied upon in times of great suffering, as it can remind one that the suffering that is experienced is impermanent and is something that can be removed.
Fletcher, Wulstan. “What Is Buddha-Nature?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, November 9, 2019. Video, 4:36. https://youtu.be/1XmwW45aGio.
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Towards a Textual Discourse Analysis of Longchenpa's Writings on Buddha Nature by Gregory Forgues
Forgues, Gregory. "Towards a Textual Discourse Analysis of Longchenpa's Writings on Buddha Nature." Produced by the University of Oxford's Faculty of Oriental Studies October 2, 2023. University of Oxford Podcasts. Tibetan Graduate Studies Seminar series. Video, 54:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjsMenGviv8
Forgues, Gregory. "Towards a Textual Discourse Analysis of Longchenpa's Writings on Buddha Nature." Produced by the University of Oxford's Faculty of Oriental Studies October 2, 2023. University of Oxford Podcasts. Tibetan Graduate Studies Seminar series. Video, 54:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjsMenGviv8
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Gregory Forgues: A Reluctant Expression of the Inexpressible: Klong chen rab 'byams pa dri med 'od zer (1308–1364) on Sugatagarbha
Forgues, Gregory. "A Reluctant Expression of the Inexpressible: Klong chen rab 'byams pa dri med 'od zer (1308–1364) on Sugatagarbha." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 21:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa76N32sfUM.
Forgues, Gregory. "A Reluctant Expression of the Inexpressible: Klong chen rab 'byams pa dri med 'od zer (1308–1364) on Sugatagarbha." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 21:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa76N32sfUM.
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David Germano: On Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa
Germano, David. "On Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 2:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqim5YaaHgA.
Germano, David. "On Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 2:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqim5YaaHgA.
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David Germano: On Buddha-Nature in Tibet in the Early Translation Period
Germano, David. "On Buddha-Nature in Tibet in the Early Translation Period." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 3:27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNGs82a3NgM.
Germano, David. "On Buddha-Nature in Tibet in the Early Translation Period." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 3:27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNGs82a3NgM.
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David Germano: On the Evolution of Dzogchen Practices from the 11th to the 14th Century
Germano, David. "On the Evolution of Dzogchen Practices from the 11th to the 14th Century." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 9:47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGRnJURqN3U.
Germano, David. "On the Evolution of Dzogchen Practices from the 11th to the 14th Century." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 9:47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGRnJURqN3U.
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David Germano: On Longchenpa's View of Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka
Germano, David. "On Longchenpa's View of Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 3:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKCfQiAC9mI.
Germano, David. "On Longchenpa's View of Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 3:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKCfQiAC9mI.
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David Germano: On His Interest in the Great Perfection and Buddha-Nature
Germano, David. "On His Interest in the Great Perfection and Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 3:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAakwT4CuZA.
Germano, David. "On His Interest in the Great Perfection and Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 3:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAakwT4CuZA.
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David Germano: On His Work with the Contemplative Sciences Center at UVA
Germano, David. "On His Work with the Contemplative Sciences Center at UVA." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 7:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1no1Dl7BjDo.
Germano, David. "On His Work with the Contemplative Sciences Center at UVA." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 7:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1no1Dl7BjDo.
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David Germano: On How the Dzogchen Nyingtik Tradition Approaches Buddha-Nature
Germano, David. "On How the Dzogchen Nyingtik Tradition Approaches Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 12:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROcTCKss8W8.
Germano, David. "On How the Dzogchen Nyingtik Tradition Approaches Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 12:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROcTCKss8W8.
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David Germano: On His Current Research Projects
Germano, David. "On His Current Research Projects." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 4:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UI8lD5YxTk.
Germano, David. "On His Current Research Projects." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 4:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UI8lD5YxTk.
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David Germano: On the Aesthetics of Dzogchen and the Vajra as a Metaphor for Buddha-Nature
Germano, David. "On the Aesthetics of Dzogchen and the Vajra as a Metaphor for Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 10:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbaPwLvgW8c.
Germano, David. "On the Aesthetics of Dzogchen and the Vajra as a Metaphor for Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 10:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbaPwLvgW8c.
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David Germano: On the Concept of Buddha-Nature and the Questions It Generates
Germano, David. "On the Concept of Buddha-Nature and the Questions It Generates." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 5:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5XWi_LFhNk.
Germano, David. "On the Concept of Buddha-Nature and the Questions It Generates." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 5:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5XWi_LFhNk.
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David Germano: How Can Dzogchen Teachings and Practices Be Made More Relevant to the Wider World?
Germano, David. "How Can Dzogchen Teachings and Practices Be Made More Relevant to the Wider World?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 11:16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac2mGKly6ws.
Germano, David. "How Can Dzogchen Teachings and Practices Be Made More Relevant to the Wider World?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 11:16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac2mGKly6ws.
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David Germano: How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature in the Nyingtik Teachings?
Germano, David. "How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature in the Nyingtik Teachings?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 9:59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRr0w1uzWmY.
Germano, David. "How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature in the Nyingtik Teachings?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 9:59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRr0w1uzWmY.
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David Germano: How Does gzhi (the Ground or Base) Relate to bden pa gnyis (the Two Truths) in Madhyamaka?
Germano, David. "How Does gzhi (ground or base) Relate to bden pa gnyis (two truths) in Madhyamaka?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 6:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58nyymx1agE.
Germano, David. "How Does gzhi (ground or base) Relate to bden pa gnyis (two truths) in Madhyamaka?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Aug 27, 2022. Video, 6:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58nyymx1agE.
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Geshe Drime Ozer on Buddha-Nature in Jonang Tradition
དཔལ་ཇོ་ནང་པའི་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོའི་དགོངས་བཞེས་ཉམས་བཞེས་སྐོར།
Jonangpa Theory and Practice of Buddha-Nature


In order to discuss the Jonang understanding and practice of buddha-nature, Geshe Drime Ozer presents three main points, although he did not manage to discuss the second and third in any detail.

1. He briefly discusses how buddha-nature is explained in many sūtras and tantras and also quoted some important verses from these sūtras.
2. His second point concerns the method, path, and the techniques with which the ultimate truth of buddha-nature is actualized or revealed by getting rid of the adventitious obscurations.
3. The final point, which he planned to present, was the difference between sūtra and tantric presentations of buddha-nature and how they differ in profundity and effectiveness although they are dealing with the same point.

Quoting the verse which is said to be the declaration of the Buddha after he reached enlightenment, Geshe explains that the three sets of teachings of wheels of dharma are three phases of the Buddha's teachings to tame a person gradually or teachings to suit three different levels of spiritual caliber. In the Jonang tradition, the first two wheels of dharma are provisional and the last or final wheel of dharma is the definitive teaching dealing with the ultimate truth. Commenting on the emptiness taught in Nāgārjuna's scholastic writings, he states that the Jonang school considered that kind of emptiness to be only nominal emptiness and not the final one.

The Mādhyamika, in this respect, are divided into proponents of rangtong, or self-emptiness, and of zhentong, or other-emptiness. Both Prāsaṅgika and Śvātantrika fall within the rangtong group, while zhengtong is also known as Great Mādhymika and is the tradition promoted by the hymnic corpus of Nāgārjuna and the works of Maitreya. He goes on to explain how in the Jonang tradition, buddha-nature is equated with the alayajñāna and how this should be distinguished from alayavijñāna.

He says that in the Jonang tradition, buddha-nature is the ultimate buddha and that such buddha is endowed with all noble attributes and qualities, while the conventional buddha is one who has manifested such qualities having removed the obscuration. The sūtras did not teach a direct and effective path to reveal this ultimate buddha as the tantras did.

During the Q&A, a vibrant debate occurred among the presenters and attendees, primarily on the Jonang assertion that buddha-nature is a truly established eternal reality. Many scholars challenged the assertion that buddha-nature can be truly existing when analyzed by reductive reasoning presented in the Mādhyamika writings. Geshe Drime Ozer pointed out that buddha-nature is truly existent in the Jonang tradition as it is the truth and perceived by the pristine wisdom of the enlightened beings in their meditative equipoise. However, it is not a truly existing substance or entity which is nonexistent and what Nāgārjuna, Candrakīrti, and other Mādhyamika scholars negated.
Drime Ozer, Geshe. "Geshe Drime Ozer at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 1, Talk 5. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 57:10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcSnACTyB9M.
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Geshe Jigme Gyatso on Buddha-Nature in the Geluk Yigcha Literature
རི་བོ་དགེ་ལྡན་པའི་གདན་སའི་ཡིག་ཆ་རྣམས་སུ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་སྐོར་བཞེད་ཚུལ།
Understanding Buddha-Nature in the Geluk Yigcha Literature


Geshe Jigme presents the interpretation and understanding of specific controversial points according to the yigcha textbooks of the main Geluk monastic colleges. In general, he states that the yigcha writers agree on most points and are consistent in their interpretation. The topic of buddha-nature in most of the textbooks is covered while discussing the section on gotra, or spiritual gene, in the Ornament of Realization. He presents the discussion of buddha-nature through the five points of (1) the nature or definition of buddha-nature, (2) types, (3) etymology, (4) the manner in which the spiritual gene is made manifest, and (5) the issue of those without the gene.

The Geluk authors agree that in the Vaibhaśika school the mental state of being nonattached or content is considered as the gotra for enlightenment. In the Sautrāntika school, it is the seed which is able to generate stainless qualities of nirvāṇa. In these two schools, there is no classification of naturally present spiritual genes or acquired spiritual genes.

Geshe Jigme states that for the Cittamātra school of thought, the Geluk authors have two schools: those accepting the store-consciousness and those who do not accept it. Both accept the spiritual gene to be a seed passed down primordially in one's mindstream, which enables one to eliminate impurities and give rise to transcendental qualities. Some regard this to be a specific quality of the six internal senses or mindstream, while others consider it to be an aspect of the store-consciousness. This seed or nature of the consciousness has four features according to the Bodhisattvabhūmi.

When this seed is not aroused or made manifest through faith, study, etc., it is known as the naturally present spiritual gene, and when it is aroused or being made partially manifest, it is known as the acquired spiritual gene. There are different assertions among the Geluk textbook authors of the monastic colleges as to whether these two are mutually exclusive, the same, or overlapping. The authors also agree that the spiritual gene is considered inherently existent in the Cittamātra school of thought and that there are beings who do not possess this spiritual gene.

In both the Cittamātra and Mādhyamika schools of thought, whatever is able to reach buddhahood is necessarily endowed with the spiritual gene. Thus, the spiritual gene is limited to sentient beings and not applicable to inanimate objects such as earth and rocks. In the Mādhyamika tradition, buddha-nature is clearly identified as the emptiness or reality of the mind, as a nature which serves as the basis for sublime qualities to rise. However, not all authors are clear on whether the spiritual gene is synonymous with buddha-nature or not.

The Geluk authors agree that in the Mādhyamika school there is no sentient being who lacks the spiritual gene, and thus the teachings on the absence of the spiritual gene in some beings are provisional and not to be taken literally. Geshe goes on to explain how the Geluk textbook authors interpreted the verses in the Ultimate Continuum. For example, the ten aspects of formulation are considered to focus on the luminous stainless nature of the mind and indirectly show that the impurities can be removed, whereas the nine analogies demonstrate directly how the impurities can be removed and show the stainless nature of the mind indirectly.
Jigme Gyatso, Geshe. "Geshe Jigme Gyatso at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 3, Talk 6. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 1:00:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkXoUdYva1o.
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Geshe Lobsang Gyatso on Distinct Gelukpa Interpretations of Buddha-Nature
གཤེགས་སྙིང་སྐོར་རི་བོ་དགེ་ལྡན་པའི་མདོ་སྔགས་ཀྱི་ཐུན་མོང་མིན་པའི་བཞེད་ཚུལ་སྐོར།
Distinct Gelukpa Interpretations of Buddha-Nature in Sūtra and Tantra


Geshe starts by explaining how different sources talk about the concept of buddha-nature and gives reference to his written article which contains detailed information in over 80 pages. In discussing the buddha-nature in the context of sūtra, he explains that according to the Geluk tradition, buddha-nature exists in sentient beings as the nature of their mind, and is not introduced or bestowed by any creator or some other external power. This follows that all sentient beings are thus equal by nature and it helps overcome discrimination based on differences in race, caste, sex, etc. and promotes an egalitarian ethos.

If asked to point out the nature of buddha-nature, in the Geluk tradition, it refers to emptiness/reality of the mind. Not all emptiness or lack of inherent existence qualifies to be buddha-nature, and the emptiness of each phenomenon is different. This is according to the Mādhyamika tradition, and the lower schools of thought have their own understanding of gotra, or spiritual gene, and different names are used to refer to it.

According to the Mādhyamika tradition, the buddha-nature taught in the sūtras and commentarial treatises refers to the emptiness of the mind, the reality stained by impurities but having the potential for actualizing buddhahood. Thus, the middle turning of the wheel is considered to be definitive teachings showing the ultimate truth, and both the first and the final wheels are considered to be provisional in nature. Because buddha-nature is equated with emptiness, the sūtras teaching buddha-nature are not considered to be part of the final wheel. They are said to have been taught by the Buddha 10 years after his perfect enlightenment. Within the Mādhyamika, no distinction or differences in the definition of buddha-nature are made between the subschools of Prāsaṅgika and Svātantrika according to the Geluk tradition.

In understanding the definition of the Buddha in the Ultimate Continuum, the first three characteristics of the Buddha are unconditioned, but the last three are considered as conditioned phenomena. Thus, the Buddha is not seen as an unconditioned permanent phenomena. It is not conditioned by afflictive emotions or by subtle propensities of ignorance and thus described as unconditioned. However, it is conditioned by causes.

The gotra, or spiritual gene, according to the Geluk tradition, is also not an authentic cause, as buddha-nature is not conditioned. Similarly, Geshe explains that an emptiness which is a nonimplicative negation can be experienced, and Tāranātha's refutation of the Geluk tradition does not assail the Geluk position. Although the term rangtong may apply to both the Geluk and followers of other traditions which accept buddha-nature to be empty of its own being, there is still a big difference in that the Geluk understand mind to be empty of its inherent nature, whereas other schools consider mind to be empty of mind itself, which is not acceptable according to the Geluk tradition.

Thus, despite the same terminology, there are vast differences, and it is important to acknowledge such differences and agree to disagree. Geshe Lobsang Gyatso points out these and many other distinct features of the Geluk understanding.
Lobsang Gyatso, Geshe. "Geshe Lobsang Gyatso at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 3, Talk 4. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 57:36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K81prXiAH_A.
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Geshe Ngawang Topden on Buddha-Nature in the Teachings of the 14th Dalai Lama
རི་བོ་དགེ་ལྡན་པ་སྤྱི་དང་སྐྱབས་མགོན་རྒྱལ་བ་རིན་པོ་ཆེའི་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོའི་དགོངས་བཞེད་སྐོར།
Buddha-Nature in the Geluk Tradition and in the Teachings of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama


Geshe starts with the reading of his salutation to the masters of the past, including Indian figures and the leading patriarchs of all Tibetan Buddhist traditions, and expressing deep appreciation for the occasion to discuss buddha-nature at an august gathering. He highlights how in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, there exists the unique and important tradition of transmission and continuity of the Buddha's teachings through uninterrupted lines of masters. His main topic is the explanation of the understanding of buddha-nature and the interpretation of the Ultimate Continuum in the Geluk tradition. This, he explains, should be based on the commentary on the Ultimate Continuum and the Exegesis of Ornament of Realization called the Ornament of Essence by Gyaltsab Darma Rinchen and the writings of Tsongkhapa, including Golden Rosary of Elegant Words and Essence of Elegant Words on Provisional and Definitive Teachings.

Then, Geshela goes on to highlight the importance placed on buddha-nature and the Ultimate Continuum by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso. His Holiness has given several teachings on buddha-nature, as the topic is important to all Tibetan Buddhist traditions. He explains how His Holiness has shared special insights into the teachings on buddha-nature. For instance, while interpreting the verse said to have been uttered by the Buddha after his enlightenment, His Holiness states that the terms "profound and tranquil" (ཟབ་ཞི་) refer to the teachings belonging to the first turning of the wheel, the term "free from elaborations" (སྤྲོས་བྲལ་) refers to the emptiness taught in the middle turning of the wheel, and the terms "luminous and unconditioned" (འོད་གསལ་འདུས་མ་བྱས་) refer to the content of the final turning of the wheel. The final term does not directly show the subtle innate mind taught in the tantric tradition but points to it indirectly.

He also points out that His Holiness emphasizes the rime (རིས་མེད་) ecumenical approach to see how this ultimate truth is presented by different Tibetan Buddhist traditions in their own way using different terms. Similarly, His Holiness explains the Great Madhyamaka of Other Emptiness (གཞན་སྟོང་དབུ་མ་ཆེན་པོ་) as referring to the subtle mind which is the natural innate aspect of the mind because this subtle mind does not lack its natural awareness but is empty of other gross aspects of the mind. These interpretations indicate the open and ecumenical approach His Holiness adopts with deep respect and appreciation to all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, like appreciating different flowers in a garden.

Another point Geshe raises is with regard to the authorship of the Ultimate Continuum and other writings, which Tibetan tradition normally attributes to Maitreya. It is important to discuss these questions and to see when the five treatises came to be known as the five works of Maitreya. Are the works really taught by Maitreya to Asaṅga in Tuṣita heaven? Is the commentary attributed to Asaṅga really by him and why didn’t Vasubandhu and many others quote him? Similarly, there are questions as to which tenet system the Ultimate Continuum and other treatises belong? Geshe concludes by explaining how the different Tibetan Buddhist traditions discuss the same nature of the mind using different terms, and how in the Geluk tradition the Ultimate Continuum has as its ultimate purport the emptiness of mind, which is what buddha-nature means and which is also the main topic of the middle turning of the wheel.
Ngawang Topden, Geshe. "Geshe Ngawang Topden at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 2, Talk 5. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 57:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCT6hayx46c.
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Geshe Ngawang Tsesang on Buddha-Nature in Gyaltsab Je's Commentary
རྒྱལ་ཚབ་རྗེའི་ཊཱིཀཱ་ལྟར་དུ་རི་བོ་དགེ་ལྡན་པའི་གཤེགས་སྙིང་གི་བཞེད་ཚུལ་སྐོར།
The Gelukpa Understanding of Buddha-Nature Based on Gyaltsab Je's Commentary


Geshe starts by stating the importance of making the Buddhist message easily accessible to a common listener. He expresses concern that scholars often discuss Buddhist topics using technical terms and do not consider the general audience who do not follow the technical vocabulary. Thus, he states that his aim is to present the Geluk understanding of buddha-nature in as simplest terms as he can, based on the writings of Tsongkhapa and his two main students, using mainly Gyaltsab Je's commentary on the Ultimate Continuum. Gyaltsab Je wrote his commentary having received teachings on the Ultimate Continuum from both Tsongkhapa and Rendawa.

He divides his presentation into three sections of (1) how the sūtras teach buddha-nature, (2) what is the essence or nature of buddha-nature, and (3) what is the benefit of such teachings on buddha-nature. Discussing the first part, he mentions how the first wheel mainly focused on the topic of the absence of a personal self as the clinging to self is the main cause of suffering. However, in the middle wheel, the Buddha not only negated the inherent existence of a personal self but also extended the application of emptiness to all five aggregates and all phenomena. Thus, all phenomena are established to be empty of inherent existence. In the third wheel, such emptiness of the mind or the lack of inherent or truly existent nature of the mind, which is luminous, is given the name buddha-nature.

Going on to explain the characteristics of buddha-nature, Geshe points out that in the Geluk tradition, it is the emptiness of the luminous mind which is buddha-nature. Emptiness of other things such as pillars and vases are not considered buddha-nature, although they are also empty of inherent nature. Buddha-nature pervades all minds, as all minds are luminous by nature, but not all emptiness qualifies as buddha-nature. If any emptiness would be buddha-nature, all inanimate objects would also have buddha-nature. Similarly, if buddha-nature is identical with the resultant dharmakāya, all sentient beings would be buddhas. Thus, buddha-nature refers only to the emptiness of the mind of the sentient beings.

Asked how the teachings on buddha-nature as emptiness can help in the pursuit of enlightenment and happiness, Geshe responds using the example of a plain screen. Just as multiple pictures appear on the screen, although they do not really exist, the diverse world appears in the state of emptiness although they do not really exist. The teachings on buddha-nature show how they do not truly exist. Responding to another question, he clarifies that the Ultimate Continuum in the Geluk tradition, according to Gyaltsab's commentary, is considered to align with the Prāsaṅgika Mādhyamika thought.
Ngawang Tsesang, Geshe. "Geshe Ngawang Tsesang at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 1, Talk 6. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 1:09:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59TlNurZH74.
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Gratitude and Review on Behalf of the Attendees by Geydak Rinpoche
Geydak Rinpoche, who attended the full three day conference, gives an extemporaneous review of the conference on behalf of the attendees. He shares that it was his first experience of an intellectual gathering including most brilliant representatives from all Tibetan Buddhist traditions. In the past, such thing was not possible and he would have assumed that there would be only much debate, confrontation and mudslinging and not a friendly, joyful and substantive discussion, if the differing traditions came together. The event, he says, was an eye opener and an exceptional event to share and learn from the best of minds with much laughter and joy.

In India, many such events may be happening but he shares how it is in fact both wonderful and ironic that such a convention of Buddhist scholars is the first one take place in Nepal, the birth place of the Buddha himself. Such meeting of minds was long overdue and he expresses his deepest gratitude to Tsadra Foundation and Shechen monastery for organising and hosting such an august event.

The event, which he says might have taken years to plan, is also exemplary in bringing together the traditional wisdom and learning with modern methodology and tools. Abstracts, paper and presentations are easily available online making it very convenient for access. Moreover, every monastery and scholarly centre in Kathmandu and areas in the vicinity were invited and asked to send their members to benefit from the event. Thus, as a participant, he states it was a free intellectual feast which each of the participants must have enjoyed and will cherish. He prays that all the attendees make the best of such an endeavour and continue to learn from the scholarly presentations.
Geydrak Rinpoche. "Closing Remarks from Geydrak Rinpoche." 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 7:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTLq72nR9iU.
Audio
The Mind: Intrinsically Empty, Naturally Radiant: Teaching by Joseph Goldstein
Excerpt from a Dhamma talk by meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein where he discusses the Buddhist teachings of shunyata and bodhichitta, the unity of wisdom and compassion, and how it is grounded in an experiential understanding of the emptiness of our fixed self nature that we develop through mindfulness practice and meditation. Only by recognizing the intrinsic emptiness of our ego-centric patterns and identity can we come into alignment with our deeper buddha nature, which is naturally radiant and ceaselessly responsive.

"The mind's nature is vivid as a flawless piece of crystal. Intrinsically empty, naturally radiant, ceaselessly responsive." –Shabkar (Source Accessed July 17, 2020)
Goldstein, Joseph. “The Mind: Intrinsically Empty, Naturally Radiant.” Recorded March 25, 2006 at Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge, Barre, MA. Audio, 13:06. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PctzOkbGu0A
Audio
Buddha Nature: A Collection of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamsto's Teachings on Buddha Nature
This is a collection of audio and video recordings of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso's teachings on the topic of buddha-nature. The years in which these teachings were given currently span from 1979 to 2001. Represented are translations of his teachings (given in Tibetan) into several languages. Some talks are translated into English and French, some are translated into German, while in others the teachings are translated into English only. While not all of the translators are named, those that are include Shenpen Hookham, Jerome Edou, Ari Goldfield, and Acharya Tenpa Gyaltsen Negi.


Buddha Nature, Karma Chodrub Gyamtso Ling, 1979
Buddha Nature, Munich 1987
Buddha Nature, Karma Theksum Choling, Albany 1998
Buddha Nature, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra 1999
Buddha Nature and Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, Hawaii 1999
Buddha Nature, Karmê Chöling 2000
Buddha Nature, Dechen Chöling, 2000
Buddha Nature, Melbourne 2000
Buddha Nature, New York 2001
Buddha Nature, Hartford 2001
Buddha Nature, Florida 2001

Visit the Marpa Foundation's Digital Library of Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso.
Gyamtso, Khenpo Tsultrim. "Buddha Nature: A Collection of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamsto's Teachings on Buddha Nature. The Marpa Foundation's Digital Library of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. http://ktgr.dscloud.me/moodle/course/index.php?categoryid=25.
Video
David Higgins at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
David Higgins explores the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje’s (1507–1554) prolific writings on tathāgatagarbha, which contain several extended discussions on the topic of how buddha-nature relates to different conceptions of selfhood.
Higgins, David. "Buddha-Nature and Selfhood." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 41:28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHzI1PxptpI.
Video
David Higgins: The Eighth Karmapa and the Primacy of Tantric Buddha-Nature Views
Higgins, David. "The Eighth Karmapa and the Primacy of Tantric Buddha-Nature Views." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 20:38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErPW8n0J9qM.
Higgins, David. "The Eighth Karmapa and the Primacy of Tantric Buddha-Nature Views." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 20:38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErPW8n0J9qM.
Video
Ken Holmes on Buddha Nature
The final talk in a six-part series on the Dharma. In this installment Ken discusses the three turnings of the wheel of Dharma with a special focus on the third turning and the associated topic of buddha-nature.
Holmes, Ken. "The Dharma, Part Six: Buddha Nature." Filmed February 16, 2013 in La Ciotat, France. Video, 22:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn4MbfU2KMA.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On the Expectations of Western Students
Hookham, Shenpen. "On the Expectations of Western Students." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 4:16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox7TYy4ozt4.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On the Expectations of Western Students." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 4:16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox7TYy4ozt4.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Her Approach to the Rangtong and Shentong Debate over the Nature of Reality
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Approach to the Rangtong and Shentong Debate over the Nature of Reality." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 20:36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzkQPncAK4k.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Approach to the Rangtong and Shentong Debate over the Nature of Reality." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 20:36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzkQPncAK4k.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Totality and the Analytical Approach
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Totality and the Analytical Approach." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 9:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYrjfgxHd8E.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Totality and the Analytical Approach." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 9:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYrjfgxHd8E.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Her Approach to Teaching about the Process of Death and Dying
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Approach to Teaching about the Process of Death and Dying." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 7:35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnrBeUZcj_Y.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Approach to Teaching about the Process of Death and Dying." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 7:35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnrBeUZcj_Y.
Video
Lama Shenpen Speaks on Buddha Nature
Fresh from her return from the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia (July 16–19, 2019), Lama Shenpen Hookham speaks to the Awakened Heart Sangha about the topic of buddha-nature.
Hookham, Shenpen. "Lama Shenpen Speaks on Buddha Nature." Produced by Awakened Heart Sangha. Filmed at The Hermitage of The Awakened Heart, Gwynedd, North Wales, July 27, 2019. Video, 1:22:21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To4-nLGvSCU.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Explaining the Shentong View to Beginners
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Explaining the Shentong View to Beginners." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 4:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljsT8T_moMs.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Explaining the Shentong View to Beginners." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 4:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljsT8T_moMs.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Putting Buddha-Nature into Practice at the Awakened Heart Sangha
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Putting Buddha-Nature into Practice at the Awakened Heart Sangha." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 2:03. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDwOrxmB_t0.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Putting Buddha-Nature into Practice at the Awakened Heart Sangha." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 2:03. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDwOrxmB_t0.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Working with Resistance in Practice
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Working with Resistance in Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 2:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOarwmp4l38.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Working with Resistance in Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 2:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOarwmp4l38.
Video
Shenpen Hookham at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Lama Shenpen Hookham discusses the Rangtong (rang stong) and Shentong (gzhan stong) interpretations of Buddhism and how the seeds of the controversy around Tathāgatagarbha and the Shentong interpretation of Buddhism was present even at the time of the Buddha.
Hookham, Shenpen. "The Impact of a Shentong Interpretation of Tathāgatagarbha Doctrine from the Point of View of a Western Buddhist Practitioner." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 41:03. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM93AeQIR4I.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Her Approach to the Guru Principle
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Approach to the Guru Principle." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 4:21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh5h7wBlupg.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Approach to the Guru Principle." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 4:21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh5h7wBlupg.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Her Name "Shenpen" and Her First Impressions of the Buddha-Nature Teachings
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Name 'Shenpen' and Her First Impressions of the Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 4:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaJ2LkoVxYI.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Name 'Shenpen' and Her First Impressions of the Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 4:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaJ2LkoVxYI.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On How the Prajñāpāramitā Tradition Promotes a Shentong View
Hookham, Shenpen. "On How the Prajñāpāramitā Tradition Promotes a Shentong View." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 7:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_PmssfhzsM.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On How the Prajñāpāramitā Tradition Promotes a Shentong View." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 7:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_PmssfhzsM.
Audio
The Shentong Interpretation of Tathagatagarbha Doctrine
“The Shentong interpretation of Tathagatagarbha doctrine does not imply there is no need for the path. However, according to Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, it does try to counter an ambitious, goal orientated approach to it. If Buddha were something newly produced by following the path, it would be a conditioned phenomena, the product of self-effort; it would not arise simply through complete relaxation of conceptual contrivance.” (From: The Buddha Within) (Source Accessed August 13, 2020)

Lama Shenpen Hookham speaks with students at RYI about the Shentong interpretation of Tathāgatagarbha on April 15, 2019.
Hookham, Shenpen. "The Shentong Interpretation of Tathagatagarbha Doctrine." Recorded April 15, 2019 at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Nepal. Audio, 1:15:34. https://soundcloud.com/rangjung-yeshe-institute/lama-shenpen-hookham-the-shentong-interpretation-of-tathagatagarbha-doctrine.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Her Approach to the Maṇḍala Principle and Its Relationship to Buddha-Nature
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Approach to the Maṇḍala Principle and Its Relationship to Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 5:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zagovCGDdOI.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Her Approach to the Maṇḍala Principle and Its Relationship to Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 5:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zagovCGDdOI.
Video
Lama Shenpen Hookham: On Buddha-Nature and the Divine
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Buddha-Nature and the Divine." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 7:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP_GgoGx93c.
Hookham, Shenpen. "On Buddha-Nature and the Divine." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 30, 2022. Video, 7:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP_GgoGx93c.
Video
Shenpen Hookham: Trungpa Rinpoche's Teaching on Maṇḍala Principle in "Orderly Chaos" and the Innumerable, Inseparable Qualities in the RGV
Hookham, Shenpen. "Trungpa Rinpoche's Teaching on Maṇḍala Principle in Orderly Chaos and the Innumerable, Inseparable Qualities in the RGV." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Video, 11:37. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=98nk8oY3kic.
Hookham, Shenpen. "Trungpa Rinpoche's Teaching on Maṇḍala Principle in Orderly Chaos and the Innumerable, Inseparable Qualities in the RGV." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Video, 11:37. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=98nk8oY3kic.
Video
The Heart Sutra and the Shentong View
Lama Shenpen Hookham concludes her discussion on Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness with a discussion on the Heart Sūtra and how it relates to the Shentong view.
Hookham, Shenpen. "The Heart Sutra and the Shentong View." Produced by Awakened Heart Sangha, May 14, 2018. Video, 1:27:28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jloVnOwn3NM.
Video
Defining Buddha-Nature by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson take a crack at a definition for buddha-nature.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson. "What Is Buddha-Nature?" Interview by Marcus Perman, Alex Gardner, and José Cabezón. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 2018. Video, 4:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukl-9s9HZe4.
Video
On Their Book Pruning the Bodhi Tree and Responses to Critical Buddhism by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson discuss their book Pruning the Bodhi Tree and the scholarly responses to Critical Buddhism.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson. "On Their Book Pruning the Bodhi Tree and Responses to Critical Buddhism." Interview by Marcus Perman, Alex Gardner, and José Cabezón. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 2018. Video, 6:56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPbu8N5Jr34.
Video
Buddha-Nature according to Zhiyi and the T'ien T'ai Tradition by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
Paul Swanson discusses the way in which Zhiyi understood the concept of buddha-nature and goes on to place that theory in the broader context of T'ien T'ai Buddhism.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson. "Buddha-Nature according to Zhiyi and the T'ien T'ai Tradition." Interview by Marcus Perman, Alex Gardner, and José Cabezón. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 2018. Video, 4:19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI4wpr4NAjk.
Video
On Hakamaya Noriaki and Matsumoto Shiro's Doctrinal Positions, the Japanese Response, and the Legacy of Critical Buddhism by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson discuss Hakamaya Noriaki and Matsumoto Shiro's doctrinal positions, the Japanese response, and the legacy of Critical Buddhism.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson. "On Hakamaya Noriaki and Matsumoto Shiro's Doctrinal Positions, the Japanese Response, and the Legacy of Critical Buddhism." Interview by Marcus Perman, Alex Gardner, and José Cabezón. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 2018. Video, 12:20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmpBqnXso_s.
Video
Critical Buddhism: An Overview by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson discuss Critical Buddhism, a trend in Japanese Buddhist scholarship associated primarily with the work of Hakamaya Noriaki and Matsumoto Shiro.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson. "Critical Buddhism: An Overview." Interview by Marcus Perman, Alex Gardner, and José Cabezón. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 2018. Video, 10:52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWbTA-L5I_w&t.
Video
On the Issue of Buddha-Nature and Practice in East Asian Buddhist Traditions by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
Jamie Hubbard discusses how one of the critical features of East Asian Buddhist traditions consists of reconciling the concept of buddha-nature with the reality of everyday life. This situation has, he argues, opened up new avenues for practice.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson. "On the Issue of Buddha-Nature and Practice in East Asian Buddhist Traditions." Interview by Marcus Perman, Alex Gardner, and José Cabezón. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 2018. Video, 3:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrBsxf0vk7o.
Video
On Hakamaya Noriaki and Matsumoto Shiro's Criticism of Tathāgatagarbha by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson discuss the criticisms laid out by Hakamaya Noriaki and Matsumoto Shiro with respect to the doctrine of buddha-nature, or Tathāgatagarbha.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson. "On Hakamaya Noriaki and Matsumoto Shiro's Criticism of Tathāgatagarbha." Interview by Marcus Perman, Alex Gardner, and José Cabezón. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 2018. Video, 4:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ceLJnM8hM.
Video
On Their Own Position on the Critical Buddhism Debate by Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson
Jamie Hubbard and Paul Swanson discuss their own personal relationship to the material in their book Pruning the Bodhi Tree and Critical Buddhism.
Hubbard, Jamie, and Paul Swanson. "On Their Own Position on the Critical Buddhism Debate." Interview by Marcus Perman, Alex Gardner, and José Cabezón. AAR Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Nov. 2018. Video, 5:31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBf4xyzdwSQ.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: On the Collection of Buddha-Nature Treatises in the Library of Tibetan Classics
Jinpa, Thupten. "On the Collection of Buddha-Nature Treatises in the Library of Tibetan Classics." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 5:15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTV3gMTD6jk.
Jinpa, Thupten. "On the Collection of Buddha-Nature Treatises in the Library of Tibetan Classics." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 5:15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTV3gMTD6jk.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: On the Buddha-Nature of Insentient Things
Jinpa, Thupten. "On the Buddha-Nature of Insentient Things." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 4:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z64IE6r2zxk.
Jinpa, Thupten. "On the Buddha-Nature of Insentient Things." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 4:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z64IE6r2zxk.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: Is It Possible for Other Spiritual Traditions to Experience Buddha-Nature?
Jinpa, Thupten. "Is It Possible for Other Spiritual Traditions to Experience Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 4:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xv4Fj4kViE.
Jinpa, Thupten. "Is It Possible for Other Spiritual Traditions to Experience Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 4:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xv4Fj4kViE.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: How Does Dharmakaya Differ from Buddha-Nature?
Jinpa, Thupten. "How Does Dharmakaya Differ from Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 2:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGs-gsowqp0.
Jinpa, Thupten. "How Does Dharmakaya Differ from Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 2:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGs-gsowqp0.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: On His First Encounter with the Concept of Buddha-Nature
Jinpa, Thupten. "On His First Encounter with the Concept of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 5:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ3t3rr5tCA.
Jinpa, Thupten. "On His First Encounter with the Concept of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 5:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ3t3rr5tCA.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: How Can Buddha-Nature Teachings Be Applied to Politics?
Jinpa, Thupten. "How Can Buddha-Nature Teachings Be Applied to Politics?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 5:09. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FTSTpod5qg.
Jinpa, Thupten. "How Can Buddha-Nature Teachings Be Applied to Politics?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 5:09. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FTSTpod5qg.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: Buddha-Nature and the Tension between Two Fundamental Concepts of Mahayana Thought
Jinpa, Thupten. "Buddha-Nature and the Tension between Two Fundamental Concepts of Mahayana Thought." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 13:02. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJFSHBff8FU.
Jinpa, Thupten. "Buddha-Nature and the Tension between Two Fundamental Concepts of Mahayana Thought." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 13:02. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJFSHBff8FU.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: On Determining Semantic Arguments vs. Substantive Arguments as a Translator
Jinpa, Thupten. "On Determining Semantic Arguments vs. Substantive Arguments as a Translator." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 4:02. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAhGPKHvOPI.
Jinpa, Thupten. "On Determining Semantic Arguments vs. Substantive Arguments as a Translator." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 4:02. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAhGPKHvOPI.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: What Is the Relationship between Bliss and Emptiness?
Jinpa, Thupten. "What Is the Relationship between Bliss and Emptiness?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 4:10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az9nDBUY4pY.
Jinpa, Thupten. "What Is the Relationship between Bliss and Emptiness?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 4:10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az9nDBUY4pY.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: Advice for the Younger Generation
Jinpa, Thupten. "Advice for the Younger Generation." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 5:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSWXQBuYIik.
Jinpa, Thupten. "Advice for the Younger Generation." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 5:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSWXQBuYIik.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: On the Ratnagotravibhaga and Its Place in the Gelukpa Curriculum
Jinpa, Thupten. "On the Ratnagotravibhaga and Its Place in the Gelukpa Curriculum." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 1:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rcRurBgowU.
Jinpa, Thupten. "On the Ratnagotravibhaga and Its Place in the Gelukpa Curriculum." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 1:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rcRurBgowU.
Video
Thupten Jinpa: On Taking Mind Itself as the Basis for Meditative Practice
Jinpa, Thupten. "On Taking Mind Itself as the Basis for Meditative Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 3:32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wMxjhElwfo.
Jinpa, Thupten. "On Taking Mind Itself as the Basis for Meditative Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 3:32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wMxjhElwfo.
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Thupten Jinpa: Tsongkhapa on Emptiness and the Experience of Emptiness
Jinpa, Thupten. "Tsongkhapa on Emptiness and the Experience of Emptiness." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 11:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL-9r6TO1uo.
Jinpa, Thupten. "Tsongkhapa on Emptiness and the Experience of Emptiness." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 11:58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL-9r6TO1uo.
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Thupten Jinpa: Geluk Authors' Perspectives on Buddha-Nature
Jinpa, Thupten. "Geluk Authors' Perspectives on Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 3:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNKljd8fjLQ.
Jinpa, Thupten. "Geluk Authors' Perspectives on Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 3:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNKljd8fjLQ.
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Thupten Jinpa: How Does One Know That the Essence of Buddha-Nature Exists in Oneself?
Jinpa, Thupten. "How Does One Know That the Essence of Buddha-Nature Exists in Oneself?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 1:38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUMMXtAMCNE.
Jinpa, Thupten. "How Does One Know That the Essence of Buddha-Nature Exists in Oneself?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, January 29, 2022. Video, 1:38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUMMXtAMCNE.
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Christopher V. Jones at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Christopher Jones discusses the development of the concept of buddha-nature in the first five hundred years of the Common Era. He postulates that the most likely trajectory of buddha-nature thought in India entailed a reimagining of the expression tathāgatagarbha away from its contentious "ātmavādin" origins.
Jones, Christopher V. "Selfhood, Secrecy, Singularity: Reassessing the Early Life of the Tathāgatagarbha in India." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 45:01. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARzGpIOwFYc.
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Shadows of a Former Self: The "True Self" Taught by the Tathāgatagarbha Literature
Christopher V. Jones discusses the concept of the "true self" as taught in the early Tathāgatagarbha literature.
Jones, Christopher V. "Shadows of a Former Self: The 'True Self' Taught by the Tathāgatagarbha Literature." Recorded March 3, 2015 at the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies. Audio, 1:04:11. https://soundcloud.com/user-715146666/shadows-of-a-former-self-the-true-self-taught-by-the-tathagatagarbha-literature.
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Christopher Jones: Defining a "Buddha-Nature Discourse": The Case of the Mahāmeghasūtra (Sprin chen po'i mdo)
Jones, Christopher. "Defining a 'Buddha-Nature Discourse': The Case of the Mahāmeghasūtra (Sprin chen po'i mdo)." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 17:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi7pzXbM4-c.
Jones, Christopher. "Defining a 'Buddha-Nature Discourse': The Case of the Mahāmeghasūtra (Sprin chen po'i mdo)." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 17:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi7pzXbM4-c.
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Sina Joos at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Sina Joos discusses the ways in which Tāranātha utilizes the famous nine examples from the Ratnagotravibhāga in his Dbu ma theg mchog to assert his understanding of buddha-nature as zhentong (other-emptiness). She also compares Tāranātha’s position on Buddha-nature to Dolpopa's own view.
Joos, Sina. "The Role of the Ratnagotravibhāga in Tā ra nā tha’s dBu ma theg mchog." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 40:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxn5XgPGnSU.
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Khenpo Ngawang Jorden at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Khenpo Ngawang Jorden discusses Gorampa’s interpretation of the concept of buddha-nature presented in his Supplement to the Three Vows. In particular his presentation is focused on Gorampa's refutation of the Jonang view of buddha-nature, as represented by the writings of Dolpopa and his zhentong philosophy.
Jorden, Khenpo Ngawang. "Revisiting Gorampa on Buddha Nature." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 45:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmhgtw5HwCE.
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Khenpo Ngawang Jorden on Buddha-Nature and Gorampa’s Refutations
གོ་བོ་རབ་འབྱམས་པས་སྡོམ་གསུམ་ཁ་སྐོང་ལ་གསུངས་པའི་གཤེགས་སྙིང་གི་དགག་བཞག་སྐོར།
Gorampa's Refutations of Some Interpretations of Buddha-Nature


Khenpo starts by saying how the conference is a wonderful opportunity to get exposure to and learn from each other, unlike other times when we are mostly stuck within the individual systems. He also mentions that as a senior figure he is very encouraged by younger participants and pleased to learn that the general state of Buddhist scholarship is very strong and that everyone must strive for the greater welfare of Buddha's teachings. He says that the topics were distributed among three Sakya scholars. While his two colleagues chose to speak on Rongtön and Śākya Chokden, he chose to speak about Gorampa, on whom he also did his PhD dissertation, although he has not written anything in Tibetan.

The main topic of Khenpo’s presentation is Gorampa's work on Sakya Paṇḍita's Distinguishing Three Vows. Although called A Supplement to Distinguishing Three Vows, Khenpo explains that it is not really a supplement to add something to make the former text complete but rather a sequel to it in order to continue the discussion. Gorampa presents the text in the framework of ground, path, and result, of which the ground refers to buddha-nature.

Claiming to carry on the traditions of Nāgārjuna as well as Maitreya and Asaṅga, whose thoughts converge on the ultimate point, Gorampa identifies the ultimate point to be the unconditioned, luminous, constant, unceasing union. Thus, buddha-nature in Gorampa's view is the unconditioned union of emptiness and luminosity. Gorampa refutes other scholars who he thinks failed to understand the teachings on buddha-nature.

Khenpo explains the verses in Gorampa's work about the reason for composition. Khenpo reads out the passages showing Gorampa's reasons for the refutation. The teachings, according to Gorampa, were misinterpreted in the centuries following Sapan, and his main reason for the composition of the text is to clarify things and dispel the misunderstanding.

The opponents whom Gorampa refutes were not identified in his own work, but the names were given in another work entitled Blooming Lotus. Gorampa's first refutation is of the Jonangpa interpretation, which Khenpo says he has already presented in another conference in English. The second opponent is Gyaltshab Je, who has written a commentary on the Ultimate Continuum and is the main source for the Geluk understanding of buddha-nature. Gyaltshab asserted a nonimplicative negation of mere absence of inherent existence to be buddha-nature. Gorampa refutes this, saying that such negation cannot be the ground for spiritual practice, the path of practice, and the resultant state of the Buddha.

The second opponent is Śākya Chokden, and the third opponent who Gorampa refutes is Dratsepa Rinchen Namgyal, the student of Buton Rinchen Drub. Refuting the positions espoused by these scholars, Gorampa formulated a definition of buddha-nature as a union of emptiness and luminosity, which is unconditioned and permanent, but one which transcends the ordinary sense of permanence and impermanence. Khenpo's presentation generated a lively discussion on the nature of union and how the union can be seen as unconditioned and permanent if one aspect of it is the subtle form of conditioned impermanent consciousness.
Ngawang Jorden, Khenpo. "Khenpo Ngawang Jorden at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 3, Talk 3. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu, June 1–3. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 59:30. https://youtu.be/hpvslhxx1R0.
Audio
Inherent Buddha Nature
Kaiji Jeffrey Schneider gives a general dharma talk on buddha-nature at the San Francisco Zen Center. He begins with a discussion of the five skandhas and discusses how the later notion of tathāgatagarbha represented a radical shift in the Buddhist understanding of the mind and consciousness.
Schneider, Jeffrey. "Inherent Buddha Nature." Recorded January 16, 2018 at San Francisco Zen Center's City Center. Audio, 32:01. https://soundcloud.com/sanfranciscozencenter/inherent-buddha-nature.
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Geshe Kalsang Tenkyong on Buddha-Nature among Some Kadam Masters
རྔོག་བློ་ལྡན་ཤེས་རབ་དང་ཆ་པ་ཆོས་ཀྱི་སེང་གེས་གཤེགས་སྙིང་སྐོར་བཞེད་ཚུལ།

Interpretation of Buddha-Nature by Ngok Loden Sherab and Chapa Chökyi Senge


The old Kadam masters have written many works on Buddha-Nature and their teachings have influenced many other scholars in all Tibetan Buddhist traditions. However, today their teachings have declined, most of it being neglected. It is even difficult to find Kadam writings, and it is therefore pertinent that a special opportunity to make a presentation on the early Kadam tradition is given. Atiśa received the Mahāyāna tradition of both the profound view tradition from Nāgārjuna and vast praxis tradition from Asaṅga, and his followers included both those following the Prāsaṅgika Mādhyamika and Svātantrika Mādhyamika tradition.

Among the most prominent early Kadam masters on Buddha-Nature is Ngok Lotsāwa Loden Sherab, who was not only the main transmitter of the Ultimate Continuum, the main book on Buddha-Nature, but also a first and major commentator. After explaining the etymology of tathāgatagarbha, gotra, dhatu, etc., Khenpo Tenkyong explains Ngok's understanding of tathāgarbha as emptiness of own being or self-existence and as a reality which cannot be found if investigated by ultimate analysis. Thus, emptiness is not an object of cognition and not a knowable thing. Such ultimate truth qua emptiness is the nature of the illusory conventional phenomena, and the two truths, i.e. emptiness of own being and illusory appearance, coalesce to form the union of two truths. Such emptiness and conventional appearance exist from primordial existence and are not newly contrived and created.

Discussing Chapa, whose understanding is from his trilogy on the Middle Way, he argues that Chapa asserts the absence of phenomena when investigated by ultimate analysis is ultimate truth. The presence of phenomena when not investigated by analysis is conventional truth. They are one by nature but different in aspects. Unlike Ngok, Chapa argued that the ultimate qua emptiness can be found when investigated through ultimate analysis. This led to a heated discussion on whether there is something truly existent or hypostatically existent in the Madhyamaka tradition.
Kalsang Tenkyong, Geshe. "Geshe Kalsang Tenkyong at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 1, Talk 2. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 1:02:15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSLj6w_QfHM.
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Kazuo Kano at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Kazuo Kano discusses the term tathāgatagarbha and its appearance in tantric scriptures and commentaries composed by Indic authors and shows how and for what purposes this term has been integrated into tantric contexts. In terms of precursors to the tantric usages, he notes mentions such as that found in the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra, in which practitioners are taught to think of themselves as a stūpa—that is, a reliquary that contains a buddha within it and as such are objects of worship. As for Indian authors, he discusses the views of Ratnākaraśānti as representative of the Yogācāra school and the notion of the three vehicles (triyāna), and he discusses Abhayākaragupta as representative of the Madhyamaka school and the notion of a single vehicle (ekayāna). Some brief mention is also made of Kamalaśīla, who represents a synthesis of the two schools.
Kano, Kazuo. "Examples of the Term tathāgatagarbha Appearing in Indic Tantric Literature." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 42:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIVDu1Ig7H8.
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Casey Kemp: Buddha-Nature as a Path of Means: The Influence of Buddha-Nature Theory on Eleventh-Century Tibetan Tantric Instructions
Kemp, Casey. "Buddha-Nature as a Path of Means: The Influence of Buddha-Nature Theory on Eleventh-Century Tibetan Tantric Instructions." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 18:48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr8U2HiLpEE.
Kemp, Casey. "Buddha-Nature as a Path of Means: The Influence of Buddha-Nature Theory on Eleventh-Century Tibetan Tantric Instructions." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 18:48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr8U2HiLpEE.
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Casey Kemp at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Casey Kemp presents an overview and analysis of Jigten Gonpo’s explanation of luminosity as outlined in his text 'Od gsal rnam lnga gcig tu bsre ba'i man ngag, a pith instruction on merging (bsre ba).
Kemp, Casey. "The Luminous Basis for Buddhahood: ’Jig rten mgon po’s Pith Instructions for Merging the Nature of Mind with the Dharmakāya." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 41:36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7VQkhK1CE0.
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Closing Remarks from Khenpo Gyurme Tsultrim
Khenpo Gyurme Tshultrim presents his vote of thanks to all presenters, who represent the main institutions of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the attendees and organisers. He says that it is an honour and fortune for Shechen monastery to host such an august gathering of great significance. He recounts how Dr Lopen Karma Phuntsho first called him, then visited Shechen monastery, and how the wonderful event gradually took shape.

He expresses gratitude to the presenters, who represent the best minds of the different Buddhist traditions, for their learned presentations and the abstracts and papers, which contain many months and years of work on their part. He also conveys his thanks to the monastic centres in and around Kathmandu for taking the rare opportunity and attending the conference despite busy schedule in the holy month of Saga Dawa. Invitations have been sent to most monasteries and centres in the area, with earnest request to attend, and the response was great. He explains that it is imperative that all traditions come together, given the easy communication facilities, to discuss and share their understanding and interpretations instead of remaining secluded and antagonising each other. It is time for the Buddhist scholars to also engage in conversations with non-Buddhist schools and update our knowledge and understanding. He requests the young attendees to take extra interest and zeal in studies and grasp opportunities such as this conference, and make use of the research papers even after the conference.

He, then, expresses his gratitude to Dr Karma Phuntsho, the convenor, Eric Colombel and Andrea, who have done so much for Tibetan Buddhism through the programmes of Tsadra, Marcus Perman, the director of Tsadra, and the team including Gwen Witt-Dorring, Dawa, Migmar and Kiran who helped organise the conference. He also thanks the Shechen team for moral support and actual organisation, particularly Lopen Karma Jurme who was the focal person for the conference. He also acknowledges Koncho, the treasurer of Shechen for the help in arranging the meals.

He also makes requests that more such events are organized in the future.
Gyurme Tsultrim, Khenpo. "Closing Remarks from Khenpo Gyurme Tsultrim." 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 16:18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiRHboR24MU.
Audio
The Buddha Within: Buddha Nature and the Path of Meditation
In this evening talk, Khenpo Kunga shares his insights about Buddha nature and the path of meditation and how we can apply them in everyday life. (Source Accessed August 14, 2020)
Khenpo Kunga. "The Buddha Within: Buddha Nature and the Path of Meditation." Produced 2017 by the Tergar Meditation Community, Minneapolis, MN. (In Tibetan with English Translation.) Translated by Jeremy Manheim. Audio, 1:45:10. https://soundcloud.com/tergar/the-buddha-within-buddha-nature-and-the-path-of-meditation.
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Khenpo Lhakpa Yeshi on Karma Kagyu Understanding of Buddha-Nature
མི་བསྐྱོད་རྡོ་རྗེའི་དགོངས་པ་ལྟར་སྒྲུབ་བརྒྱུད་ཀམ་ཚང་བཀའ་བརྒྱུད་ལ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་གི་བཞེད་ཚུལ།
Explaining the Karma Kagyu Understanding of Buddha-Nature through the 8th Karmapa Mikyo Dorje's Works


Khenpo starts with the claim that in the midst of the diverse interpretations of buddha-nature, the understanding of buddha-nature among the different Karmapa incarnations has been consistent. From among them, his presentation focuses on the theory of buddha-nature in the writings of the 8th Karmapa Mikyo Dorje. Mikyo Dorje, like many other Kagyu elders, considered Gampopa to have said that the text for our Mahāmudrā is the Ultimate Continuum of Buddha Maitreya.

According to Mikyo Dorje, the middle wheel and the final wheel teach buddha-nature, with middle wheel teaching the temporary definitive and the final wheel being the ultimate definitive point. Many sūtras and tantras present buddha-nature, but it is the Ultimate Continuum which contains a concise presentation of buddha-nature through ten aspects of its formulation. In his presentation, Khenpo lists six points for discussion:

1. The reasons for the presence of buddha-nature in all sentient beings
2. The characteristics of buddha-nature
3. Analogies to demonstrate how impurities obscure buddha-nature
4. Engaging in the path to cleanse the impurities obscuring buddha-nature
5. The purpose of buddha-nature teachings
6. The works of Mikyo Dorje on buddha-nature

Khenpo discusses the three reasons in the Ultimate Continuum and underscores that the sphere of reality and pristine wisdom are nondual, and when this becomes manifest, it is said that the dharmakāya radiates or becomes evident. The point about the reality of sentient beings and the Buddha being identical also refers to sentient beings possessing buddha-nature which is pure by nature and is not tainted by temporary afflictions.

Buddha-nature is eternal, permanent, unconditioned reality which transcends thought and mind. It possesses both the dharmakāya and its manifestations latent in its nature. Thus, Khenpo points out the unique position in Mikyo Dorje's writings that even the embodied forms of the buddha are active in sentient beings. He concludes by showing the Kagyu practice for revealing the buddha-nature and its qualities through nonmentation, nondistraction, and noncontrivance, by remaining in the ordinary awareness and natural state.
Lhakpa Yeshi, Khenpo. "Khenpo Lhakpa Yeshi at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 3, Talk 2. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 1:00:10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T68IhXlXet8.
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Khenpo Ngawang Lodoe on the Understanding of Buddha-Nature among Nyingma Masters
ཀློང་ཆེན་པ་དང་མི་ཕམ་རྒྱ་མཚོ་སོགས་རྙིང་མ་བའི་གཤེགས་སྙིང་གི་དགོངས་བཞེད་བཤད་པ།
The Understanding of Buddha-Nature among Longchenpa, Mipam Gyatso, and other Nyingmapas


Khenpo Ngawang Lodoe delivers a presentation on buddha-nature in the Nyingma tradition following the works of Longchenpa and Mipam Namgyal Gyatso. Discussing verses from different sūtras on buddha-nature, Khenpo Ngawang Lodoe carries out the identification of the "element" or "spiritual gene" as a pure, clear, luminous, unadulterated, and unconditioned nature according to Longchenpa and Mipam Namgyal Gyatso. He discusses the reasoning and evidence provided by the Nyingma scholars to establish the universal presence of buddha-nature in all sentient beings.

In the course of his presentation, he mentions the theories of the fourfold correct cognition and the fourfold modes of validation. He highlights how dharmakāya, in the case of Nyingma understanding, is not a true result conditioned by and arising from impermanent causes but rather considered a result for becoming free from adventitious features due to the agency of the path. He also classifies the buddha-nature element into two types corresponding to the two types of Buddha bodies and argues that both the middle and the last turning of the wheel are teachings of definitive nature. He also points out in his closing remarks that the innate mind taught in the tantras is identical to buddha-nature taught in the sūtras.
Ngawang Lodoe, Khenpo. "Khenpo Ngawang Lodoe at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 1, Talk 1. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 56:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxmC6RjmKr8.
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Khenpo Ngawang Thokmey on Śākya Chokden’s Understanding of Buddha-Nature
ཤཱཀྱ་མཆོག་ལྡན་གྱི་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོའི་དགོངས་པ་བཞེས་ཚུལ་ཐུན་མོང་མིན་པ།
Śākya Chokden’s Unique Understanding of Buddha-Nature


Stating that his presentation will be on Śākya Chokden, Khenpo gives a brief introduction to the figure of Śākya Chokden, who was a brilliant scholar with many unique interpretations and explanations of many topics. Although a Sakyapa, he posed questions about some points made by Sakya Paṇḍita in his Distinguishing Three Vows. This spurred an explanation from other Sakya scholars, which led to much greater clarity in understanding this work and the issues it raised.

Regarding buddha-nature, Śākya Chokden held a very unique position in the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist world, asserting that buddha-nature, or tathāgatagarbha, is synonymous with buddha and that it is only fully present in the state of buddhahood. Buddha-nature is equivalent to resultant dharmakāya according to Śākya Chokden, and it exists only after someone reaches the stage of being a sublime being on the Mahāyāna path. Khenpo points out that Śākya Chokden also argued that buddha-nature is a conscious awareness or cognition, not a mere emptiness which is a non-implicative negation.

In connection to buddha-nature, Śākya Chokden also argued that the False Aspectarian school is not part of the Mind Only school but rather a Middle Way school. Śākya Chokden saw Nāgārjuna as highlighting the rangtong view and Maitreya as underscoring the zhentong system, and they are ultimately the same. He took the five writings of Maitreya as texts propounding Middle Way thought. Among twenty-four volumes of his writings, he has four commentaries on the Ornament of Realization in which he discusses buddha-nature in the section on gotra, or spiritual gene.

Śākya Chokden was emphatic in claiming that sentient beings do not possess buddha-nature, as buddha-nature is the sphere of reality which is endowed with inseparable qualities such as ten powers, and such qualities cannot coexist with the impurities of the ordinary beings. He argued that the three reasons presented by Maitreya only proves that sentient beings have the possibility to attain buddha-nature, not that they already have it. He rejects buddha-nature being a non-implicative negation and asserts that the final wheel shows buddha-nature fully, while the first and middle wheels only help overcome the clinging to self.
Ngawang Thokmey, Khenpo. "Khenpo Ngawang Thokmey at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 2, Talk 3. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu, June 1–3. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 57:07. https://youtu.be/gGPwGKD0VFY.
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Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra: Taught by Khenpo Sodargye, May 2019
The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra is one of the five great treatises given by Lord Maitreya to Asanga. It is a commentary on the teachings of the third turning of Dharma wheel in explaining the buddha-nature. Many great masters say it can be revered as a “commentary bridging the Exoteric and Vajrayana Buddhism”. It provides an important philosophical foundation for understanding the workings of the Buddhist path, particularly for Vajrayana practitioners.
Khenpo Sodargye. "The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra." Pt. 1 of 15. In Chinese with English translation. Produced by Khenpo Sodargye's team, May 2019. Video, 1:00:17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4OiLLo1e_Y.
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The Ideology of Tathagatagarbha by Khenpo Sodargye
Khenpo Sodargye explains the ideology of buddha-nature (tathāgatagarbha) at Xiamen University, Fujian, China. (In Chinese)
Khenpo Sodargye. "The Ideology of Tathagatagarbha." (In Chinese.) Produced by Khenpo Sodargye's Team. University Lecture Series. December 12, 2016, Video, 46:12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j35-r3GdjD8.
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Khenpo Tamphel at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Drawing on the text entitled A Mahāmudrā Investigation into Confusion: An Instruction for Identifying the Process of Confusion by Jikten Sumgon, Khenpo Tamphel explains how, according to this text, sentient beings and buddhas are related, how confusion arises that leads to saṃsāra, and how recognition of the true nature of sentient beings is the way to enlightenment.
Tamphel, Khenpo Könchok. "The Difference Between a Sentient Being and a Buddha: 'Jig rten gsum mgon’s Instruction on the Process of Confusion." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 47:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GbYgx3ozDM.
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Khenpo Tenpa Tshering on Three Wheels and Buddha-Nature in Nyingma Tradition
སྔ་འགྱུར་རྙིང་མ་བའི་བཀའ་འཁོར་ལོ་གསུམ་དང་གཤེགས་སྙིང་གི་དགོངས་བཞེད།
Nyingma Interpretation of the Three Wheels and Buddha-Nature


Buddha-nature is a central topic in the Nyingma tradition and very important for study and practice. Of the two transmissions of Maitreya's works, i.e. of the intellectual exegetical transmission based on inferential understanding passed down from Ngok Lotsāwa and the mystical meditative transmission based on direct experience passed down from Tsen Khawoche, the Nyingma tradition is more aligned to the latter tradition. Of the two schools of thought focusing on luminosity or emptiness, Khenpo explains that the Nyingma tradition puts equal emphasis on both aspects of reality. The emptiness aspect of buddha-nature is taught in the middle wheel and the luminosity of buddha-nature is taught explicitly in the final wheel of dharma. Although the middle wheel presents luminosity, it does not do so explicitly or in detail. For this reason, both the middle wheel and the final wheel of dharma are considered as definitive in the Nyingma tradition.

Although Longchenpa does not clearly state that the middle wheel is definitive, this can be inferred from his words. In his Treasury of Wish Fulfilling Jewel, Longchenpa explains how buddha-nature is also free from all elaborations in the ultimate sense. In his commentary on the Relaxation in the Nature of Mind, Longchenpa also explains how the buddha-nature teachings are definitive as buddha-nature is the ultimate truth and all other phenomena are illusory.

The theory of buddha-nature being empty of its nature, or rangtong, is presented in the context of two truths of emptiness and appearance. In this context, the Middle Wheel focusing on the concept of emptiness is the definitive teaching and buddha-nature, like all phenomena, lacks true existence. Thus, it is empty. However, in the context of the two truths of ontic existence and appearance associated with the Final Wheel, buddha-nature is presented as the ultimate. Thus, the final wheel is considered as the definitive teaching. Some sūtras such as the Laṅkāvatāra, which present the philosophical position of Mind Only, are, however, not considered definitive.

Khenpo then mentions that the presentation of this nature of buddha-nature which is the union of emptiness and luminosity varies from sūtra to tantra. What is emptiness and luminosity in the sūtra system is presented as purity and equality in Mahāyoga, Samantabhadra and Samantabhadri in Anuyoga and primordial purity and spontaneity in Atiyoga. The luminosity presented in these systems refers to the Buddha's pristine wisdom and not to any state of the ordinary mind. Ordinary mental states are impure, illusory, deceptive, and not worthy of being objects of refuge. The luminous nature is Buddha's pristine wisdom which is eternal and unconditioned. Such buddha-nature also has all the sublime qualities of the Buddha, including the three bodies. However, the three bodies latent in buddha-nature refer to the emptiness, luminosity, and nonduality and should not be understood as the Buddha bodies perceived by sentient beings.

In the state of buddhahood, all ordinary senses of individuality and phenomena are exhausted. That is why the state of ultimate enlightenment is called chos zad, or exhaustion of phenomena, in the Nyingma tradition. Only the latent sublime qualities of the Buddha remain.
Tenpa Tshering, Khenpo. "Khenpo Tenpa Tshering at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 2, Talk 1. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu, June 1–3. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 55:10. https://youtu.be/ucNg5N6E5JQ.
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Khenpo Tshewang Sonam on Application of Buddha-Nature in the Nyingma Tradition
རྙིང་མ་དང་རྫོགས་ཆེན་ལ་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོའི་བཞེད་ཚུལ་དང་ཉམས་བཞེས།
The Understanding and Application of Buddha-Nature in the Nyingma and Dzogchen Tradition


Khenpo starts by thanking the participants, organizers, and attendees for the wonderful gathering and for the hard work to spread the teachings on buddha-nature by hosting this conference. A real patron of Buddhist teachings, he says, is one who supports critical thinking and the promotion of wisdom through such programes and not just someone who sponsors rituals and prayers. He then discusses the concept of gotra, or family/clan, based on activities and based on causes or reasons. He highlightes how the participants gather together as one family, sharing the buddha-nature, and that everyone should cultivate a kindred spirit instead of seeing differences based on region, nationality, gender, status, etc.

Delving into the buddha-nature theories, Khenpo explains that the middle wheel teaches buddha-nature with the nomenclature of the Perfection of Wisdom and the final wheel discusses it as tathāgatagarbha. In the tantric teachings we find other names such as innate mind, Mahāmudrā, and Great Perfection used to refer to buddha-nature. Citing the line from the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines, he explains what mind, the nonexistence of the mind, and luminous nature of mind refer to. In an ecumenical spirit, he argues that what the Geluk considered as the absence of inherent existence and the Nyingma and other schools as the lack of any foundation refer to the same point of not finding an entity as they appear when thoroughly searched for their existence. Thus, despite the difference in word and presentation, he argues that the different interpretations of buddha-nature in different schools reach the same point.

He also shares that in studying buddha-nature, there is the exegetical intellectual approach and the practical instructional approach to buddha-nature. The difference between sūtra and tantric approaches to buddha-nature also ends when one attains the path of seeing, because at this stage the meditator directly experiences reality or buddha-nature whether the person followed the sūtra or tantric path. At this stage, the practitioner has actualized the actual luminosity through direct perception.

Such direct experience of pure, clear, unperturbed, unconditioned luminosity or buddha-nature is cultivated through intellectual and contemplative meditation in the sūtra system, through the practice of channels and vital energy in father tantras, and through seminal fluid practices and so forth in the mother tantras. However, in the Dzogchen system of the Nyingma, no contrived efforts are made, but buddha-nature is actualized through resting in the natural state, like allowing water to settle down or the sky to be free from clouds. By using the skillful postures and gazes and leveraging the practices of visions and light rays in the transcendent practice of todgyal, one unravels the buddha-nature from within one's heart.
Tshewang Sonam, Khenpo. "Khenpo Tshewang Sonam at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 3, Talk 1. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu, June 1–3. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 1:04:45. https://youtu.be/FVvbqVoj7Mc.
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Khenpo Tsultrim Norbu on Buddha-Nature among Mipam Gyatso and his Students
མི་ཕམ་རྒྱ་མཚོ་སློབ་བརྒྱུད་བཅས་པའི་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོའི་བཞེད་ཚུལ།
The Understanding of Buddha-Nature by Mipam Gyatso, His Students, and Scholars on Mipam


Khenpo starts his presentation by discussing the transmission of buddha-nature literature, particularly the Ultimate Continuum, to Tibet. Khenpo suspects that Mipam Gyatso might have considered the Ultimate Continuum and Distinguishing Phenomena and Their Nature to have been translated during the early diffusion of the dharma in the late eighth and early ninth century. This is different from the general claim that the Ultimate Continuum reached Tibet only in the later diffusion after Maitrīpa revealed it from a stūpa in the 11th century. It is likely that Mipam used the mention of the five treatises of Maitreya in Ugyen Lingpa's kathang biography of Guru Rinpoche as the main reason for this.

Khenpo then explains how Mipam saw the five works of Maitreya in terms of their doxographical affiliation, which Mipam explains in his commentary on Distinguishing Phenomena and Their Nature. Although Mipam takes the Ultimate Continuum, the main classic on buddha-nature, to be Mādhyamika in its ultimate purport, he does not mention whether it is aligned to Prāsaṅgika or Svātantrika Mādhyamika. It appears he considered it as a primary or root text (gzhung phyi mo) of the Mādhyamikas. The students of Mipam, including Zhechen Gyaltsab, Bodpa Trulku, Kaḥthog Situ, and Kunzang Palden also carried on his interpretation and understanding of the Ultimate Continuum as a Mādhyamika text, some classifying it as a text of the Prāsaṅgika school.

Discussing Mipam's understanding of buddha-nature, Khenpo states that Mipam did not accept buddha-nature to be mere emptiness as the Gelukpas accepted it or a truly established entity as some Tibetan scholars taught. He says Mipam considered buddha-nature to be empty because it is negated by the ultimate analysis. Yet, on the highest conventional level, buddha-nature exists latent in all sentient beings with all the sublime qualities of the Buddha. Thus, in this context, buddha-nature is empty of other afflictive emotions and impurities but not of the sublime qualities which are innate traits of buddha-nature. Before Mipam, Rongzom focused on the emptiness aspect of buddha-nature and Longchenpa on the luminosity of the nature of the mind. Mipam sought a balanced presentation, resulting in the union of emptiness and luminosity.

While Mipam's position may be considered to be rangtong because he asserted the lack of the true self-existence of buddha-nature, he also defended the zhentong position, leading many modern scholars to mistakenly think he is an adherent of the zhentong tradition. Khenpo Tsultrim Norbu explores the position of Mipam in his various writings, of his disciples, and also of the modern scholars who work on Mipam.
Tsultrim Norbu, Khenpo. "Khenpo Tsultrim Norbu at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 2, Talk 6. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 58:51. https://youtu.be/7_Exz6x36lw.
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Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche Talks about Buddha-Nature
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche talks about buddha-nature and offers a brief guided meditation. This segment is part of a larger talk on the Lotus Sūtra given in New Delhi on March 18, 2018.
Khyentse, Dzongsar. "Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche Talks about Buddha-Nature." Produced by Vidyaloke. New Delhi, March 18, 2018. Video, 6:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJgu45zB8C8.
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Just Seeing Is Buddha-Nature: Talk by Bon Soeng at Empty Gate Zen Center
Zen Master Bon Soeng teaches on a verse from the Compass of Zen by Zen Master Seung Sahn (Shambhala Dragon Editions, 1997).
Soeng, Bon. "Just Seeing Is Buddha-Nature." Filmed March 13, 2013 in Berkeley, CA. Video, 33:05, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN9vZjMh65A.
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Buddha Nature and Permission: Anne Klein at Dawn Mountain
"Your buddha-nature is really all there is. And it is never ever violated."
Klein, Anne. "Buddha-Nature and Permission." Produced by Dawn Mountain Online, July 26, 2016. Video, 1:07. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HXPia-AzlM.
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Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On the Connection between Zen and Dzogchen
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Connection between Zen and Dzogchen." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 7:56. https://youtu.be/3jhWo3MtvxY.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Connection between Zen and Dzogchen." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 7:56. https://youtu.be/3jhWo3MtvxY.
Video
Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On His First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On His First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 4:10. https://youtu.be/S-5SXBcPnd8.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On His First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 4:10. https://youtu.be/S-5SXBcPnd8.
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Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On the Various Early Influences on the Formation of the Zen Tradition
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Various Early Influences on the Formation of the Zen Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 8:05. https://youtu.be/6w6KD6Ez8Yc.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Various Early Influences on the Formation of the Zen Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 8:05. https://youtu.be/6w6KD6Ez8Yc.
Video
Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On Dogen's Articulation of Buddha-Nature
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On Dogen's Articulation of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 3:58. https://youtu.be/he2iN7V23g8.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On Dogen's Articulation of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 3:58. https://youtu.be/he2iN7V23g8.
Video
Rev. Kokyo Henkel: Does the Zen Tradition Have an Equivalent to Mandala Practice in Vajrayana?
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Does the Zen Tradition Have an Equivalent to Mandala Practice in Vajrayana?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 3:05. https://youtu.be/7BXKaoiMcZ0.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Does the Zen Tradition Have an Equivalent to Mandala Practice in Vajrayana?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 3:05. https://youtu.be/7BXKaoiMcZ0.
Video
Rev. Kokyo Henkel: Sources of Buddha-Nature Teachings in the Zen Tradition
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Sources of Buddha-Nature Teachings in the Zen Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 20:56. https://youtu.be/vvdgwHudOrU.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Sources of Buddha-Nature Teachings in the Zen Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 20:56. https://youtu.be/vvdgwHudOrU.
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Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On the Term "Big Mind"
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Term 'Big Mind'." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 3:56. https://youtu.be/IlSnKFUTH80.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Term 'Big Mind'." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 3:56. https://youtu.be/IlSnKFUTH80.
Video
Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On the Differences between Zen and Dzogchen and the Practice of Shikantaza, or "Just Sitting"
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Differences between Zen and Dzogchen and the Practice of Shikantaza, or 'Just Sitting'." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 8:07. https://youtu.be/PkEA0bYGLAM.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Differences between Zen and Dzogchen and the Practice of Shikantaza, or 'Just Sitting'." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 8:07. https://youtu.be/PkEA0bYGLAM.
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Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On Mazu's Statements: "Mind Itself Is Buddha" and "Ordinary Mind Is the Way"
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On Mazu's Statements: 'Mind Itself Is Buddha' and 'Ordinary Mind Is the Way'." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 3:01. https://youtu.be/CpEBZZnL-sE.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On Mazu's Statements: 'Mind Itself Is Buddha' and 'Ordinary Mind Is the Way'." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 3:01. https://youtu.be/CpEBZZnL-sE.
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Rev. Kokyo Henkel: Resource Recommendations for Learning about Buddha-Nature in the Zen Tradition
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Resource Recommendations for Learning about Buddha-Nature in the Zen Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 5:25. https://youtu.be/GaTapNdwKRo.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Resource Recommendations for Learning about Buddha-Nature in the Zen Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 5:25. https://youtu.be/GaTapNdwKRo.
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Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On the Use of the Term "Atman" in Buddha-Nature Scriptures
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Use of the Term 'Atman' in Buddha-Nature Scriptures." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 5:02. https://youtu.be/XlKbPTxJE3o.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Use of the Term 'Atman' in Buddha-Nature Scriptures." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 5:02. https://youtu.be/XlKbPTxJE3o.
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Rev. Kokyo Henkel: On the Famous Mu Koan
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Famous Mu Koan." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 4:26. https://youtu.be/YPAoanRK0F4.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "On the Famous Mu Koan." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 4:26. https://youtu.be/YPAoanRK0F4.
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Rev. Kokyo Henkel: Zhiyi's Six Dharma Gates to the Sublime and the Relationship between Tiantai and Zen
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Zhiyi's Six Dharma Gates to the Sublime and the Relationship between Tiantai and Zen." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 4:14. https://youtu.be/6n8SpHNZC4o.
Henkel, Rev. Kokyo. "Zhiyi's Six Dharma Gates to the Sublime and the Relationship between Tiantai and Zen." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, June 26, 2021. Video, 4:14. https://youtu.be/6n8SpHNZC4o.
Video
Yaroslav Komarovski: On How He Came to Specialize in the Works of Shakya Chokden
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On How He Came to Specialize in the Works of Shakya Chokden." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 5:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51SveklPd84.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On How He Came to Specialize in the Works of Shakya Chokden." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 5:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51SveklPd84.
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Yaroslav Komarovski: On Shakya Chokden's Understanding of Madhyamaka
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Shakya Chokden's Understanding of Madhyamaka." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 5:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL_6wAXWaAM.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Shakya Chokden's Understanding of Madhyamaka." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 5:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL_6wAXWaAM.
Video
Yaroslav Komarovski: Shakya Chokden on Tathāgatagarbha in the Tantric Practice of the Two Stages
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "Shakya Chokden on Tathāgatagarbha in the Tantric Practice of the Two Stages." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 20:42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_gwSb3n8nk.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "Shakya Chokden on Tathāgatagarbha in the Tantric Practice of the Two Stages." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 20:42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_gwSb3n8nk.
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Yaroslav Komarovski: On Where We Find Discussions of Buddha-Nature in Shakya Chokden's Works
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Where We Find Discussions of Buddha-Nature in Shakya Chokden's Works." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 4:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMiaDziTO9s.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Where We Find Discussions of Buddha-Nature in Shakya Chokden's Works." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 4:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMiaDziTO9s.
Video
Yaroslav Komarovski: On the Various Types of Tathagatagarbha in Shakya Chokden's Writings
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On the Various Types of Tathagatagarbha in Shakya Chokden's Writings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 10:57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dk8AtHdsVI.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On the Various Types of Tathagatagarbha in Shakya Chokden's Writings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 10:57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dk8AtHdsVI.
Video
Yaroslav Komarovski: On the Life & Works of Shakya Chokden
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On the Life & Works of Shakya Chokden." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 4:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SFGMtwozpA.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On the Life & Works of Shakya Chokden." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 4:44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SFGMtwozpA.
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Yaroslav Komarovski: On the Development of Shakya Chokden's Views
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On the Development of Shakya Chokden's Views." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 6:51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIiLV6g27F0.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On the Development of Shakya Chokden's Views." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 6:51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIiLV6g27F0.
Video
Yaroslav Komarovski: On Shakya Chokden's Terminology in Articulating the Buddha-Nature
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Shakya Chokden's Terminology in Articulating the Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 9:56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXeVspw-zfY.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Shakya Chokden's Terminology in Articulating the Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 9:56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXeVspw-zfY.
Video
Yaroslav Komarovski: On His First Encounter with the Teachings on Buddha-Nature
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On His First Encounter with the Teachings on Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 2:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKrFZWtvYTc.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On His First Encounter with the Teachings on Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 2:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKrFZWtvYTc.
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Yaroslav Komarovski: What Does Shakya Chokden Mean by Ultimate Sentient Beings?
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "What Does Shakya Chokden Mean by Ultimate Sentient Beings?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 3:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydT_Abjuuwc.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "What Does Shakya Chokden Mean by Ultimate Sentient Beings?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 3:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydT_Abjuuwc.
Video
Yaroslav Komarovski: On Shakya Chokden's Unique Interpretation of Buddha-Nature
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Shakya Chokden's Unique Interpretation of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 3:12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ml06Lck7oo.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Shakya Chokden's Unique Interpretation of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 3:12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ml06Lck7oo.
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Yaroslav Komarovski: On How Shakya Chokden Inspired His Book Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Experience
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On How Shakya Chokden Inspired His Book Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Experience." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 4:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPnB9zJZVZc.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On How Shakya Chokden Inspired His Book Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Experience." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 4:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPnB9zJZVZc.
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Yaroslav Komarovski: On Buddha-Nature in Shakya Chokden's Tantric Writings
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Buddha-Nature in Shakya Chokden's Tantric Writings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 5:10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpZp2hIT2cA.
Komarovski, Yaroslav. "On Buddha-Nature in Shakya Chokden's Tantric Writings." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 30, 2021. Video, 5:10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpZp2hIT2cA.
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Seiji Kumagai at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Seiji Kumagai discusses the theory of “innate enlightenment” (hongaku) in Japanese Buddhism. He argues that Shinran clearly showed a negative attitude toward innate enlightenment despite the fact that he used terms which are often regarded to be associated with the theory.
Kumagai, Seiji. "How the Concepts of 'Buddha-Nature' (Tathāgatagarbha) and 'Innate Enlightenment' (Hongaku) Were Interpreted by Shinran (1173–1263), Founder of the Jōdo-Shin-Shū School of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 47:28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KwdudJF4hc.
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Lopen Dawa Zangpo on Buddha-Nature in Jonang and Nine Characteristics
དཔལ་ཇོ་ནང་པའི་གཤེགས་སྙིང་གི་དགོངས་ཚུལ་དགུའི་སྒོ་ནས་བཤད་པ།
Explaining the Understanding of Buddha-Nature in the Jonang Tradition through Nine Characteristics


Starting his presentation with a prayer of homage to Dolpopa, Lopen Dawa Zangpo explains how the buddha-nature has been received via Nāgārjuna and Asaṅga and their followers, who interpreted the buddha-nature sūtras. In this context, he clarifies that in the Jonang tradition, which holds the buddha-nature teachings, the first turning of the wheel of dharma showed buddha-nature without any clarity, the second turning showed buddha-nature with partial clarity, and the third turning showed buddha-nature with full clarity. Thus, the Jonang tradition highlights how the third turning is the definitive teaching.

In continuation of the presentation of buddha-nature as an eternal, permanent, absolute, and innate nature which is endowed with all the sublime qualities of enlightenment, he clarifies the sūtras which teach this doctrine. Explaining the etymology of buddha-nature, he explains that the term garbha implies the possession of all qualities, the term hṛdaya indicates the supreme and ultimate true nature of buddha-nature while other phenomena are illusory and deceptive, and the term sāra refers to the stability, firmness, and immutability of buddha-nature.

Lopen Dawa went on to explain the Jonangpa understanding of buddha-nature with nine characteristics.

1. Buddha-nature is permanent as it involves no birth, abiding and ceasing. What exists as an object of conceptual thought is impermanent and what is a realm of non-conceptuality is permanent and eternal.
2. Buddha-nature is all pervasive or immanent. It permeates all phenomena as the ultimate true nature.
3. Buddha-nature is self-awareness as it is open and luminous awareness or the consciousness of the ultimate truth.
4. Buddha-nature is diverse in its aspects as the ultimate truth can manifest in myriad expressions.
5. Buddha-nature is free from all elaborations of existence, non-existence, etc. and transcends all points of fixation.
6. Buddha-nature is stainless and pristine as it is not stained or polluted by the adventitious impurities even at the stage of sentient beings.
7. Buddha-nature is a union of emptiness and non-emptiness, i.e. emptiness of what is imputed and dependent, and non-empty of the absolute truth.
8. Buddha-nature is the spiritual gene or seed which exists in all sentient beings and serves as the basis of enlightenment.

9. Buddha-nature is the element or core nature of all beings.
Dawa Zangpo, Lopen. "Lopen Dawa Zangpo at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." Day 2, Talk 4. 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu, June 1–3. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 57:55. https://youtu.be/MEDBfnEFK0g.
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Donald S. Lopez, Jr. - Keynote of the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
In his keynote lecture to the Vienna Tathāgatagarbha Symposium, Donald Lopez provides an overview of the history and influence of tathāgatagarbha doctrine as well as its various interpretations across the Mahāyāna world.
Lopez, Donald S., Jr. “Tathāgatagarbha: A Brief History.” Keynote lecture at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 40:17. https://youtu.be/0SSSdNNbeu8.
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Hong Luo at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Hong Luo discusses Ratnākaraśānti’s understanding of self-awareness (svasaṃvedana/svasaṃvitti) and its relationship to buddha-nature in his Prajñāpāramitopadeśa.
Luo, Hong. "Observing the Link between Self-awareness and Buddha Nature in Ratnākaraśānti’s Prajñāpāramitopadeśa." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 39:00. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5iFwWLJUAc.
Audio
The Three Nature (Trisvabhāva) Theory in the Yogācāra Texts of the Five Maitreya Works
This presentation will address the influences of the Tathāgatagarbha (“buddha nature”) model of reality in the three Yogācāra texts of the Maitreya Works (i.e., the Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra, Madhyāntavibhāga, and Dharmadharmatāvibhāga). It will be argued that the integration of a particular understanding of buddha nature contributes to remedy the flaws Yogācāra has in the eyes of Mādhyamikas, namely that a considerable group of sentient beings is completely cut off from liberation, and that a dependently arising mind exists on the level of ultimate truth.
      Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Mathes is a professor of Tibetan and Buddhist Studies at the University of Vienna. His research interests include the Indian origin of the Tibetan Mahāmudrā traditions, buddha nature and the Tibetan gzhan stong tradition. He spoke with students at RYI on April 3, 2018. (Source Accessed Aug 13, 2020)
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "The Three Nature (Trisvabhāva) Theory in the Yogācāra Texts of the Five Maitreya Works." Recorded April 3, 2018 at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Nepal. Audio, 1:23:42. https://soundcloud.com/rangjung-yeshe-institute/prof-dr-klaus-dieter-mathes-the-three-nature-trisvabhava-theory-in-the-yogacara-texts.
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Klaus-Dieter Mathes: Tibetan Traditions of Buddha-Nature in the Light of Its Complex Indian Background
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "Tibetan Traditions of Buddha-Nature in the Light of Its Complex Indian Background." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 20:27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT6-yMGKrdA.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "Tibetan Traditions of Buddha-Nature in the Light of Its Complex Indian Background." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 20:27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT6-yMGKrdA.
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Klaus-Dieter Mathes at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Klaus-Dieter Mathes discusses Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen’s position on Buddha-nature. He describes how his student Zhangtön Sönam Drakpa defends his teacher's position by arguing that one faces eight undesired consequences if one does not strictly differentiate buddha-nature from the ground consciousness.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. “Zhang ston Bsod nams grags pa’s Defense of Dol po pa’s Clear-Cut Distinction between Buddha Nature and the Ground Consciousness.” Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 40:48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-ALrY63cho.
Audio
Uttaratantrashastra at Rigpa Shedra East 2009 with Klaus-Dieter Mathes
In this audio recording, Prof. Klaus-Dieter Mathes, the first Western scholar to be invited to give a talk at the Rigpa Shedra East, discusses the Uttaratantrashastra to a gathering of students.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "Uttaratantrashastra at Rigpa Shedra East 2009 with Klaus-Dieter Mathes." Rigpa Shedra East, Pharping, Nepal, February 15, 2009. Audio, 1:37:40. http://www.rigpawiki.org/Media/Audio/2009/20090215PH1400-KD-Mathes-Uttaratantra.mp3.
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Maitripa: India's Yogi of Nondual Bliss by Klaus-Dieter Mathes
Klaus-Dieter Mathes and Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discuss Mathes's new book "Maitripa: India's Yogi of Nondual Bliss", which has been published by Shambhala Publications.

Drawing on Maitripa’s autobiographical writings and literary work, this book is the first comprehensive portrait of the life and teachings of this influential Buddhist master. Klaus-Dieter Mathes also offers the first complete English translation of his teachings on nonconceptual realization, which is the foundation of Mahamudra meditation.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. "Maitripa: India's Yogi of Nondual Bliss." A book launch event hosted by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, December 1, 2021. Video, 1:11:02. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyLEwfwgbdc.
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Klaus-Dieter Mathes - Welcome Speech of the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Klaus-Dieter Mathes welcomes the attendees of the Tathāgatagarbha Symposium to the University of Vienna, offers brief remarks on his own interest in the topic, and acknowledges those who assisted in creating the conference.
Mathes, Klaus-Dieter. “Welcome Speech of the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium.” Opening remarks presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 5:55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3eFot99daI.
Video
Lama Surya Das at the Garrison Institute
Lama Surya Das offers his perspective on what it means to center oneself in Buddha-nature, how one lives and acts in the wakeful state, the balance of inner and outer life, the relationship between enlightenment and social transformation, and more. He talks with Robert Gabriele, Chief Operating Officer at the Garrison Institute.
Das, Surya. "Lama Surya Das at the Garrison Institute." Produced by the Garrison Institute, July 2010. Video, 31:06. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQtXkVjg1F4.
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Abiding within the Buddha-Nature by Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche
In this profound 90-minute teaching, by one of the greatest living Buddhist teachers of our time, Mindrolling Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche speaks of our incessant movement, propelled by a search for happiness. She goes on to demonstrate how we perform unvirtuous actions when faced with challenges, and the great need for us to slow down our experiences through stillness, silence and non-thought. For a transcription of the talk in PDF format, click here.
Khandro Rinpoche. "Abiding within the Buddha-Nature." Produced by Vidyaloke. Filmed at Vana, Dehradun, India, March 6, 2019. Video, 2:08:29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0XBC1-k7Sg&t=3120s.
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Discovering Buddha Nature: Talk by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
In this short teaching, Mingyur Rinpoche describes buddha-nature with the metaphor of a diamond covered in mud, explaining how the innate purity of awareness can be obscured, but never changed.
Mingyur, Yongey, 7th. "Discovering Buddha Nature." Produced by Tergar Learning Community, April 7, 2014. Video, 1:48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srRcHz9jVrg.
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Buddha-Nature and Creativity
Does your mind feel cluttered? Unable to think clearly? Find it difficult to get the creative juices flowing? Buddhist teacher and meditation master Mingyur Rinpoche looks at the close connection between Buddhism and creativity, and how calming down our minds generates space for creativity in our lives.
Mingyur, Yongey, 7th. "Buddha-Nature and Creativity." August 30, 2018, Video, 1:37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVV469EDRcU.
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An Introduction to Discovering the Buddha Within by H.E. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
An Introduction to the Palpung Study and Practice program "Discovering the Buddha Within" by H.E Yongey Migyur Rinpoche 尊貴的 詠給明就仁波切介紹八蚌學修教程 ─ 開啟內在之佛 (Source Accessed June 8, 2023)
Mingyur, Yongey. "An Introduction to Discovering the Buddha Within." Produced by the Palpung Audio and Visual Archive (PAVA), Feb 19, 2020. Video, 5:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azIK84yIJqk&t=13s.
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Your True Nature: Talk on Refuge and Buddha-Nature by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
In this short video, Tibetan meditation teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche teaches how our true nature is fundamentally pure and good. When we take refuge in the Buddha, he explains, we are ultimately taking refuge in our own Buddha nature. This video is excerpted from a series of teachings entitled, Ngöndro: The Foundational Practices, Parts I & II.
Mingyur, Yongey, 7th. "Your True Nature." Produced by Tergar Learning Community, February 29, 2012. Video, 4:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCd9lTgHuUc.
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Uncovering the Buddha Within with Mingyur Rinpoche
In this video, Mingyur Rinpoche explains that the enlightened qualities of buddhahood are already complete within us, and describes the process of learning to recognize and discover our own buddha nature and become completely free. This teaching is part of the Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism online course. Learn more at https://tergar.org/vajrayana
Mingyur, Yongey, 7th. "Uncovering the Buddha Within with Mingyur Rinpoche." Produced by Tergar Meditation Community, November 7, 2020. Video, 10:56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqUAbakyWLs.
Video
Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: Pot Is Not Empty of Pot, but Empty of Inherent Existence. What Is the Fault in This Statement?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "Pot Is Not Empty of Pot, but Empty of Inherent Existence. What Is the Fault in This Statement?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 4:59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxxzbfGENNc.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "Pot Is Not Empty of Pot, but Empty of Inherent Existence. What Is the Fault in This Statement?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 4:59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxxzbfGENNc.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: What Is Our True Nature?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "What Is Our True Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 2:52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VADRmkaaRdk.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "What Is Our True Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 2:52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VADRmkaaRdk.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: On the Difference between the Hindu Notion of Ātman and the Nyingma Understanding of Tathāgatagarbha
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "On the Difference between the Hindu Notion of Ātman and the Nyingma Understanding of Tathāgatagarbha." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 6:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMXR_Sy6wno.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "On the Difference between the Hindu Notion of Ātman and the Nyingma Understanding of Tathāgatagarbha." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 6:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMXR_Sy6wno.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: On the Position of Mipam vis-à-vis the Rang stong and Gzhan stong Debate
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "On the Position of Mipam vis-à-vis the Rang stong and Gzhan stong Debate." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 4:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rni74KUZDzc.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "On the Position of Mipam vis-à-vis the Rang stong and Gzhan stong Debate." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 4:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rni74KUZDzc.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: What Advice Would You Give to Students Who Don't Have the Luxury of Going to a Shedra?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "What Advice Would You Give to Students Who Don't Have the Luxury of Going to a Shedra?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 4:52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gK_w0v9DfU.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "What Advice Would You Give to Students Who Don't Have the Luxury of Going to a Shedra?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 4:52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gK_w0v9DfU.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: How Does the Nyingma Tradition Think of Buddha-Nature in Terms of Practice?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "How Does the Nyingma Tradition Think of Buddha-Nature in Terms of Practice?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 6:38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ65ZOudwQg.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "How Does the Nyingma Tradition Think of Buddha-Nature in Terms of Practice?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 6:38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ65ZOudwQg.
Video
Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: How Is Buddha-Nature Presented in the Nyingma Tradition?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "How Is Buddha-Nature Presented in the Nyingma Tradition?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 10:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcR3oQoV3xI.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "How Is Buddha-Nature Presented in the Nyingma Tradition?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 10:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcR3oQoV3xI.
Video
Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: Is It Possible to Experience Buddha-Nature outside of an Ārya's Meditative Equipoise?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "Is It Possible to Experience Buddha-Nature outside of an Ārya's Meditative Equipoise?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 1:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptLQfN9gcws.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "Is It Possible to Experience Buddha-Nature outside of an Ārya's Meditative Equipoise?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 1:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptLQfN9gcws.
Video
Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: On Candrakīrti and Nāgārjuna and Why They Emphasized Emptiness over Clarity
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "On Candrakīrti and Nāgārjuna and Why They Emphasized Emptiness over Clarity." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 5:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3ZPHXyXVA.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "On Candrakīrti and Nāgārjuna and Why They Emphasized Emptiness over Clarity." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 5:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3ZPHXyXVA.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: What Books, Programs, or Retreats Would You Recommend to Others?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "What Books, Programs, or Retreats Would You Recommend to Others?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 2:54. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toRzUpKSeY4.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "What Books, Programs, or Retreats Would You Recommend to Others?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 2:54. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toRzUpKSeY4.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: On His First Encounter with the Teachings of Buddha-Nature
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "On His First Encounter with the Teachings of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 5:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8-DV14nDNo.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "On His First Encounter with the Teachings of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 5:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8-DV14nDNo.
Video
Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: When One Gets a Glimpse of Buddha-Nature, Does It Require Effort to Sustain It?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "When One Gets a Glimpse of Buddha-Nature, Does It Require Effort to Sustain It?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 2:26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsHsKLBxBuE.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "When One Gets a Glimpse of Buddha-Nature, Does It Require Effort to Sustain It?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 2:26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsHsKLBxBuE.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: What Inspired Figures Like Khenpo Shenga and Mipam to Embrace a Sūtra Perspective?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "What Inspired Figures Like Khenpo Shenga and Mipam to Embrace a Sūtra Perspective?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 6:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngiFR0svasM.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "What Inspired Figures Like Khenpo Shenga and Mipam to Embrace a Sūtra Perspective?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 6:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngiFR0svasM.
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Khenpo Tenzin Norgay: How Do We Balance Practice and Study in Our Lives?
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "How Do We Balance Practice and Study in Our Lives?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 3:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTQ2jzVW2c0.
Norgay, Khenpo Tenzin. "How Do We Balance Practice and Study in Our Lives?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 30, 2022. Video, 3:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTQ2jzVW2c0.
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Tulku Orgyen Phuntsok Buddha Nature Class: Teachings on the Uttaratantra
Tulku Orgyen Rinpoche's five weeks Online Teaching Course on Lord Maitreya's Uttaratantra Shastra, which explores what we call Buddha Nature, recorded in weekly sessions from April 25th to May 23rd 2018.

The Uttaratantra is one of the Five Treatises of Lord Maitreya, which elucidates the Buddha's definitive teachings on Buddha-essence, the inherent qualities and potential for Buddhahood present in all beings. Just as an acorn, when given the right conditions, can become an oak, the seed of our Buddha Nature can be activated and cultivated. When nourished through teachings, meditation, and contemplation, its essence can flourish into profound spiritual development. This precious text also clarifies the nature and quality of Buddhahood.

As a basis for his teachings, Tulku recommends: Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary by Arya Maitreya (Author), Jamgon Kongtrul (Editor), Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso (Editor), Rosemarie Fuchs (Translator).
Phuntsok, Tulku Orgyen. "Buddha Nature." A Six-Part Teaching on the Uttaratantra Shastra. Pt. 1 of 6. Produced by the Odiyana Institute, 2018. Video, 1:20:20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtQ5xyMtlAg.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:25. https://youtu.be/6iM1XpP7kkY.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On the Value of Reclusion vs. Engagement and Starting a Nunnery." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:25. https://youtu.be/6iM1XpP7kkY.
Video
Dealing with Depression: Interview with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on Study Buddhism
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo discusses buddha-nature beautifully for a general audience.
Palmo, Tenzin. "Dealing with Depression." Interview by Matt Linden and Yura Milyutin. Produced by Study Buddhism (Website), September 2016. Video, 3:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ChZpIBgSo.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Advice on Daily Practice
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Advice on Daily Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:11. https://youtu.be/8FqhpNRPsrI.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Advice on Daily Practice." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:11. https://youtu.be/8FqhpNRPsrI.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:00. https://youtu.be/Wy278BzAhqE.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Is Innate Perfection or Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:00. https://youtu.be/Wy278BzAhqE.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:04. https://youtu.be/2sCLpIDAhnE.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Is the Traditional Tibetan Approach the Best Method for Westerners to Train in Tibetan Buddhism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:04. https://youtu.be/2sCLpIDAhnE.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:38. https://youtu.be/D6_-IrFljok.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Do We Transform Difficult Circumstances into a Catalyst for Spiritual Transformation and Human Flourishing?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 4:38. https://youtu.be/D6_-IrFljok.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:21. https://youtu.be/jFBNbK7o_Rc.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "Reflecting on Her Activism for the Status of Nuns and the Patriarchal Element of Vajrayana Buddhism." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:21. https://youtu.be/jFBNbK7o_Rc.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:43. https://youtu.be/77k0SKcjQ_E.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Can Women and Girls Formulate a Buddhist-Inspired Feminism?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:43. https://youtu.be/77k0SKcjQ_E.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:48. https://youtu.be/E5hxRjYI9_k.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How to Convince People of Their Innate Goodness?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:48. https://youtu.be/E5hxRjYI9_k.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Balancing Practice with Daily Life
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Balancing Practice with Daily Life." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:15. https://youtu.be/R0-cm8rIq5c.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Balancing Practice with Daily Life." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 3:15. https://youtu.be/R0-cm8rIq5c.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:20. https://youtu.be/M_MOG-J0IbM.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "How Does One Actualize Buddha-Nature As a Layperson?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:20. https://youtu.be/M_MOG-J0IbM.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 6:40. https://youtu.be/BcJJ3cKyBEI.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Her Childhood Belief in Innate Perfection and Her Early Spiritual Journey." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 6:40. https://youtu.be/BcJJ3cKyBEI.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: On Guru Devotion
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Guru Devotion." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:22. https://youtu.be/2Ar8J-Ilx1A.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "On Guru Devotion." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 8:22. https://youtu.be/2Ar8J-Ilx1A.
Video
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo: What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:19. https://youtu.be/5FArkWiVq1E.
Palmo, Jetsunma Tenzin. "What Improvements Can Be Made in Transmitting Teachings Such As Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, September 25, 2021. Video, 5:19. https://youtu.be/5FArkWiVq1E.
Audio
Basics of Buddha-Nature: Mipham's Roaring Lions Public
Dr. Pettit speaks about the basics of Buddha-Nature (bde gshegs snying po’i rigs = sugatagarbhagotra) according to Mipham Rinpoche, with additional reference to some Pāli Suttas, Nāgārjuna’s Praise of Dharmadhatu, and the Uttaratantra. He bases his remarks on Mipham’s text, The Lion’s Roar: Exposition on Buddha Nature (bde gshegs snying po stong thun chen mo seng ge nga ro). John Whitney Pettit holds graduate degrees from Harvard University and Columbia University in the study of World Religions and Buddhist Studies. He has been the student of the previous Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and also heard or translated teachings from prominent masters representing the Nyingma tradition and the other schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the translator and author of Mipham’s Beacon of Certainty (1999) and of a forthcoming anthology volume on the subject of Buddha-nature. Since 1998 he has lived in or near New York’s Hudson Valley, working on occasional translations, carving mani stones and communing with the genius loci. He spoke with students at RYI on the 27th of March, 2019. (Adapted from Source Aug 13, 2020)
Pettit, John W. "Basics of Buddha-Nature: Mipham's Roaring Lions Public." Recorded March 27, 2019 at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Nepal. Audio, 1:14:20. https://soundcloud.com/rangjung-yeshe-institute/basics-of-buddha-nature-miphams-roaring-lions-public.
Video
Dorji Wangchuk: How Were Rongzompa's Works Received and Integrated in the Nyingma Tradition?
Wangchuk, Dorji. "How Were Rongzompa's Works Received and Integrated in the Nyingma Tradition?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 4:26. https://youtu.be/QnNTq24E1fk.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "How Were Rongzompa's Works Received and Integrated in the Nyingma Tradition?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 4:26. https://youtu.be/QnNTq24E1fk.
Video
Peter Skilling: On Practices Associated with Luminosity in the Early Pāli & Theravāda Tradition
Skilling, Peter. "On Practices Associated with Luminosity in the Early Pāli & Theravāda Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 4:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzEA9d87mns.
Skilling, Peter. "On Practices Associated with Luminosity in the Early Pāli & Theravāda Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 4:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzEA9d87mns.
Video
Robert Thurman: On the Western Understanding of Buddha-Nature
Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of freedom, spirituality, and buddha-nature with world-renowned Buddhist scholar, translator, writer, and activist Robert Thurman.
Thurman, Robert. "On the Western Understanding of Buddha-Nature." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 5:01. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQlxh3uad1s.
Video
Peter Skilling: On the Source of the Luminous Mind in the Aṅguttara Nikāya & the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras
Skilling, Peter. "On the Source of the Luminous Mind in the Aṅguttara Nikāya & the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 2:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0g4AjM0dGQ.
Skilling, Peter. "On the Source of the Luminous Mind in the Aṅguttara Nikāya & the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 2:23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0g4AjM0dGQ.
Video
Matthieu Ricard: On His Experience Writing about the Life Stories of Enlightened Masters
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "On His Experience Writing about the Life Stories of Enlightened Masters." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 7:18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlKT8DOFYV4.
Video
Buddha-Nature: Theoretical Understanding and Practical Application by Karma Phuntsho
Phuntsho, Karma. "Buddha-Nature: Theoretical Understanding and Practical Application." Recorded at Dharma Gate Buddhist College in Budapest, Hungary, Sep 22, 2022. Video, 1:52:27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wUSjjvsdFg.
Phuntsho, Karma. "Buddha-Nature: Theoretical Understanding and Practical Application." Recorded at Dharma Gate Buddhist College in Budapest, Hungary, Sep 22, 2022. Video, 1:52:27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wUSjjvsdFg.
Video
Matthieu Ricard: Is Buddha-Nature a Seed to Be Cultivated or Something that Must Be Revealed?
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "Is Buddha-Nature a Seed to Be Cultivated or Something that Must Be Revealed?" Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 4:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTgZcaYOM1c.
Video
Dorji Wangchuk: Rongzompa and His Position on Buddha-Nature
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Rongzompa and His Position on Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 10:03. https://youtu.be/yj6k07_8gIU.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Rongzompa and His Position on Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 10:03. https://youtu.be/yj6k07_8gIU.
Video
Peter Skilling: On the Concept of the Three Bodhis and Its Historical Evolution
Skilling, Peter. "On the Concept of the Three Bodhis and Its Historical Evolution." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 7:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94K_tC5G7Is.
Skilling, Peter. "On the Concept of the Three Bodhis and Its Historical Evolution." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 7:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94K_tC5G7Is.
Video
Robert Thurman: On His Own Spiritual Practice
Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of freedom, spirituality, and buddha-nature with world-renowned Buddhist scholar, translator, writer, and activist Robert Thurman.
Thurman, Robert. "On His Own Spiritual Practice." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 7:21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FBEXoEAAfY.
Video
Matthieu Ricard: Reading Recommendations for Learning about Buddha-Nature
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "Reading Recommendations for Learning about Buddha-Nature." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 2:02. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwKpIbkjHQ0.
Video
Dorji Wangchuk: On the Impact of Rongzompa, Longchenpa, and Mipam on the Nyingma Tradition
Wangchuk, Dorji. "On the Impact of Rongzompa, Longchenpa, and Mipam on the Nyingma Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 8:44. https://youtu.be/pEES25DoqyM.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "On the Impact of Rongzompa, Longchenpa, and Mipam on the Nyingma Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 8:44. https://youtu.be/pEES25DoqyM.
Video
Dorji Wangchuk: Buddha by Nature or Buddha by Nurture? On the Views of Rongzompa, Longchenpa, and Mipam
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Buddha by Nature or Buddha by Nurture? On the Views of Rongzompa, Longchenpa, and Mipam." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 10:19. https://youtu.be/zWtzs-1-S4Q.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Buddha by Nature or Buddha by Nurture? On the Views of Rongzompa, Longchenpa, and Mipam." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 10:19. https://youtu.be/zWtzs-1-S4Q.
Video
Lopon Karma Phuntso's Introduction to the Conference
Lopon Karma Phuntsho introduces the Buddha-Nature Conference by pointing out the auspicious circumstances for the event. The auspicious venue (གནས་ཕུན་སུམ་ཚོགས་པ་) is the glorious temple of Shechen monastery, next to the Bouddha Stūpa, where the three great figures of Padmasambhava, Trisong Detsen, and Śāntarakṣita are said to have made the first prayers to spread the Buddha's teachings in Tibet, and in a country where the Buddha was born. The auspicious time (དུས་ཕུན་སུམ་ཚོགས་པ་) is the holy fourth month in the Himalayan Buddhist calendar, the auspicious teachers (སྟོན་པ་ཕུན་སུམ་ཚོགས་པ་) are the brilliant khenpos, lopens, and geshes chosen by the Tibetan Buddhist leaders to represent their respective traditions, and the auspicious retinue (འཁོར་ཕུན་སུམ་ཚོགས་པ་) includes the great scholars and monks from Shechen and representatives from some 32 monastic centers in Kathmandu and the virtual audience from all over the world. The auspicious dharma (ཆོས་ཕུན་སུམ་ཚོགས་པ་) is buddha-nature, the essence of the ground, path, and fruition of the Mahāyāna spiritual system.

He then briefly explains the project of Tsadra Foundation to spread the Tibetan Buddhist message of wisdom and compassion across the globe and the five main programs carried out to this effect. The five programs include grants for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism, funding translations and scholarly work, support for Tibetan Buddhist publications, organizing conferences, trainings, and workshops, and building IT infrastructure and tools to promote Buddhist teachings. The buddha-nature website, which was launched in 2020, falls within the fifth program.

Having built the web resources, he explains that Tsadra hosted three scholarly events on buddha-nature: an academic conference in Vienna in 2019, an online conversation series with distinguished scholars and practitioners in 2020 (an ongoing series), and a panel on buddha-nature in Prague in 2022. These meetings and conversations were conducted in English. Seeing the great need to introduce the web resource to the Tibetan Buddhist centers in the Himalayas and to engage traditional scholars, the conference in Kathmandu was planned.

Furthermore, he explains why Tsadra built the buddha-nature web resource by citing the verse from the Ultimate Continuum in which Maitreya presents the five flaws which the buddha-nature teachings help overcome. First is the sense of diffidence and timidity to do good or seek enlightenment. He points out that people today, more than ever before, are stressed, confused, and mentally vulnerable. Many suffer from depression, struggle even to live their life, and engage in self-harm. The second is the problem of contempt toward other beings. Despite globalization and enhanced interaction through technological advancement, people still remain insular and biased, leading to serious contempt and mistreatment of others, who are perceived as inferior or less privileged. The third flaw is of holding onto the misconception. The world is rife with misinformation, fake news, and commercial and political deception, and most people are engrossed in what is vain and popular. They do not see the real or the truth, which is the fourth problem. People do not understand the theory of cause and effect and the importance of inner wellbeing, let alone the ultimate nature of reality. The fifth problem Maitreya points out is self-love or attachment to one's own creed, race, color, or group. Lopon Karma Phuntsho says that efforts to promote the teachings on buddha-nature is an attempt to overcome these problems by highlighting the point that all beings are by nature good and, in fact, are pure and compassionate like the Buddha.

He then goes on to describe how the presenters have been chosen by the leaders of the respective Tibetan Buddhist teachings, the mode of the presentations and discussions, and the schedule. He ends with a prayer that the teachings of buddha-nature reach far and wide and help people reveal their innate good nature.
Phuntsho, Karma. "Karma Phuntsho Introduction to the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 13:17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omyw-1iKEZQ.
Video
Peter Skilling: Is Prabhāsvaracitta (Luminous Mind) Conditioned or Unconditioned?
Skilling, Peter. "Is Prabhāsvaracitta (Luminous Mind) Conditioned or Unconditioned?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 2:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL3CXgQMNg0.
Skilling, Peter. "Is Prabhāsvaracitta (Luminous Mind) Conditioned or Unconditioned?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 2:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL3CXgQMNg0.
Video
Peter Skilling: On the Origins and Dating of the Concept of Prabhāsvara (Luminosity)
Skilling, Peter. "On the Origins and Dating of the Concept of Prabhāsvara (Luminosity)." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 8:15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_wVpCl7-u8.
Skilling, Peter. "On the Origins and Dating of the Concept of Prabhāsvara (Luminosity)." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 8:15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_wVpCl7-u8.
Video
Robert Thurman: On How Buddha-Nature Can Help Us to Cope with Depression and Stress
Thurman, Robert. "On How Buddha-Nature Can Help Us to Cope with Depression and Stress." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 7:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9t8nmplVms.
Thurman, Robert. "On How Buddha-Nature Can Help Us to Cope with Depression and Stress." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 7:46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9t8nmplVms.
Video
Dorji Wangchuk: On His First Encounter with the Concept of Buddha-Nature
Wangchuk, Dorji. "On His First Encounter with the Concept of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 2:38. https://youtu.be/okzqa9D7l8s.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "On His First Encounter with the Concept of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 2:38. https://youtu.be/okzqa9D7l8s.
Video
Peter Skilling: On the Concept of Luminosity in the Aṅguttara Nikāya
Skilling, Peter. "On the Concept of Luminosity in the Aṅguttara Nikāya." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 5:09. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGVdTNgw2k.
Skilling, Peter. "On the Concept of Luminosity in the Aṅguttara Nikāya." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 5:09. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpGVdTNgw2k.
Video
Robert Thurman: On the Reception of Buddhism in the West
Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of freedom, spirituality, and buddha-nature with world-renowned Buddhist scholar, translator, writer, and activist Robert Thurman.
Thurman, Robert. "On the Reception of Buddhism in the West." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 5:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IHAt3W4Z_A.
Video
Peter Skilling: Reflections on a Middle-Indic Verse from a Ratnagotravibhāga Commentary
Skilling, Peter. "Reflections on a Middle Indic Verse from a Ratnagotravibhāga Commentary." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 17:28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTDvxdjffro.
Skilling, Peter. "Reflections on a Middle Indic Verse from a Ratnagotravibhāga Commentary." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 17:28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTDvxdjffro.
Video
Matthieu Ricard: On the Importance of the Preliminary Practices and Cultivating Compassion and Altruism
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "On the Importance of the Preliminary Practices and Cultivating Compassion and Altruism." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 8:17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvZR8BfEDXY.
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Matthieu Ricard: On the Transition from a Western Scientific and Philosophical Perspective to a Buddhist One
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "On the Transition from a Western Scientific and Philosophical Perspective to a Buddhist One." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPo_9zMpf-k&t=15s.
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Dorji Wangchuk: Longchenpa and His Position on Buddha-Nature
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Longchenpa and His Position on Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 3:28. https://youtu.be/BKbGrmfa0kk.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Longchenpa and His Position on Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 3:28. https://youtu.be/BKbGrmfa0kk.
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Karma Phuntsho: Buddha-Nature and Dying: Clear Light at the Point of Death
Phuntsho, Karma. "Buddha-Nature and Dying: Clear Light at the Point of Death." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 15:47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3lOZAUfKi8.
Phuntsho, Karma. "Buddha-Nature and Dying: Clear Light at the Point of Death." Old Topic, New Insights: Buddha-Nature at the Crossroads between Doctrine and Practice. The 16th IATS Conference, Prague, July 3–9, 2022. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video, 15:47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3lOZAUfKi8.
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Dorji Wangchuk: On How Buddha-Nature Theory May Be Shaped by Western Studies and Practice and the Implications of Tathāgatagarbha Theory
Wangchuk, Dorji. "On How Buddha-Nature Theory May Be Shaped by Western Studies and Practice and the Implications of Tathāgatagarbha Theory." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 8:15. https://youtu.be/NHy4sKZoc_k.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "On How Buddha-Nature Theory May Be Shaped by Western Studies and Practice and the Implications of Tathāgatagarbha Theory." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 8:15. https://youtu.be/NHy4sKZoc_k.
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Peter Skilling: On the Cuḷasuññata Sutta and Its Relationship to Maitreya's Madhyāntavibhāga
Skilling, Peter. "On the Cuḷasuññata Sutta and Its Relationship to Maitreya's Madhyāntavibhāga." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 8:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEVQMmbrKB8.
Skilling, Peter. "On the Cuḷasuññata Sutta and Its Relationship to Maitreya's Madhyāntavibhāga." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 8:05. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEVQMmbrKB8.
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Robert Thurman: On Buddha-Nature and the Risk of It Being Used to Build Further Egoism
Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of freedom, spirituality, and buddha-nature with world-renowned Buddhist scholar, translator, writer, and activist Robert Thurman.
Thurman, Robert. "On Buddha-Nature and the Risk of It Being Used to Build Further Egoism." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 7:33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b2ubPu9fbE.
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Matthieu Ricard: On What Has Made His Life Meaningful
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "On What Has Made His Life Meaningful." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 2:59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-x2LS_iHN0.
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Dorji Wangchuk: Is "Other-Emptiness" Taught as Part of the Curriculum in Nyingma Shedras Today?
Wangchuk, Dorji "Is "Other-Emptiness" Taught as Part of the Curriculum in Nyingma Shedras Today?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 3:54. https://youtu.be/visvFgxXkUw.
Wangchuk, Dorji "Is "Other-Emptiness" Taught as Part of the Curriculum in Nyingma Shedras Today?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 3:54. https://youtu.be/visvFgxXkUw.
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Dorji Wangchuk: Resources for the Nyingma Understanding of Buddha-Nature
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Resources for the Nyingma Understanding of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 2:59. https://youtu.be/jRFZpWF2brA.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Resources for the Nyingma Understanding of Buddha-Nature." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 2:59. https://youtu.be/jRFZpWF2brA.
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Peter Skilling: On How He Started His Career in Buddhist Studies
Skilling, Peter. "On How He Started His Career in Buddhist Studies." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 3:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBBypiaogWE.
Skilling, Peter. "On How He Started His Career in Buddhist Studies." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 3:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBBypiaogWE.
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Robert Thurman: On His First Encounter with the Concept of Buddha-Nature
Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of freedom, spirituality, and buddha-nature with world-renowned Buddhist scholar, translator, writer, and activist Robert Thurman.
Thurman, Robert. "On His First Encounter with the Concept of Buddha-Nature." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 7:42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zUI-Ls75o0.
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Peter Skilling: On the Relationship between the Early Pāli Sūtras and the Kangyur
Skilling, Peter. "On the Relationship between the Early Pāli Sūtras and the Kangyur." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 3:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ZM_5xOUvY.
Skilling, Peter. "On the Relationship between the Early Pāli Sūtras and the Kangyur." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 3:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ZM_5xOUvY.
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Matthieu Ricard: On His First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "Matthieu Ricard: On His First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 13:35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMoo0m9TR4s&t=15s.
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Dorji Wangchuk: The Textual Sources and Advocates of Buddha-Nature Theory in the Early Transmission Period
Wangchuk, Dorji. "The Textual Sources and Advocates of Buddha-Nature Theory in the Early Transmission Period." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 3:56. https://youtu.be/hOM2RwrLroI.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "The Textual Sources and Advocates of Buddha-Nature Theory in the Early Transmission Period." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 3:56. https://youtu.be/hOM2RwrLroI.
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Peter Skilling: On the Concept of Self (atta) in Pāli Sources
Skilling, Peter. "On the Concept of Self (atta) in Pāli Sources." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 5:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6lAgAGNrk8.
Skilling, Peter. "On the Concept of Self (atta) in Pāli Sources." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 5:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6lAgAGNrk8.
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Robert Thurman: On Buddha-Nature as a Positive Philosophical Concept
Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of freedom, spirituality, and buddha-nature with world-renowned Buddhist scholar, translator, writer, and activist Robert Thurman.
Thurman, Robert. "On Buddha-Nature as a Positive Philosophical Concept." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 12:36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-AWjV2mWZU.
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Peter Skilling: Which Pāli Sūtras Should be Translated into Tibetan?
Skilling, Peter. "Which Pāli Sūtras Should be Translated into Tibetan?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 1:57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woh6eCEDlAI.
Skilling, Peter. "Which Pāli Sūtras Should be Translated into Tibetan?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 1:57. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woh6eCEDlAI.
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Matthieu Ricard: How Can We Reconcile the Teachings on Buddha-Nature with the Prasangika Madhyamaka System?
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "How Can We Reconcile the Teachings on Buddha-Nature with the Prasangika Madhyamaka System?" Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. Video, 5:40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Vz1kFr7yI.
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Lopon Karma Phuntso's Introduction of Kyoton's Life and Works
Khenpo Gyurme Tshultrim and Lopon Karma Phuntsho launch the new book The Life and Works of Kyotön Monlam Tsultrim (སྐྱོ་སྟོན་སྨོན་ལམ་ཚུལ་ཁྲིམས་ཀྱི་མཛད་རྣམ་དང་གསུང་རྩོམ།). Following the formal release, Lopon Karma Phuntsho presents the account of why and how the book was created. The original texts, he shares, are in dbu med manuscript and were discovered about twenty years ago in the Nechu temple of Drepung monastery in Tibet. The texts are in volumes 50 and 61 of the Collection of Kadam Writings published by Paltsek Bodyig Penying Zhibjugkhang. The original texts, which are in archaic and difficult dbu med script with many abbreviations, were rendered in modern computer typeset so as to make the writings easily available to all Tibetan readers.

The book contains 32 works, including 30 titles attributed to Kyotön Monlam Tshultrim, one biography of Kyotön by his student, and a long introduction by the editor in English. He mentions how some titles from the two volumes from Drepung were excluded from this book, as they appear to be by other authors. He also explains the significance of Narthang and the early Kadam tradition for buddha-nature studies and how Kyotön lived at an interesting period of Tibetan religious history. The interest to publish the writings of this master came about as Kyotön has written several short and interesting works related to buddha-nature, which present the meditative tradition of Maitreya's teachings passed down from Tsen Khawoche.

The typeset was created and the layout and design done by the staff of Loden Foundation, which published the book with funding from Tsadra Foundation.
Karma Phuntsho. "Lopon Karma Phuntso's Introduction of Kyoton's Life and Works." 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video,
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Matthieu Ricard: On Overcoming "Wicked-World" Syndrome
Excerpt from "Conversations on Buddha-Nature" with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho
Ricard, Matthieu. "On Overcoming 'Wicked-World' Syndrome." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 1. October 24, 2020. https://youtu.be/Z5CbvCspBlM.
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Dorji Wangchuk: On the Relationship between Tathāgatagarbha Theory and Pratītyasamutpāda
Wangchuk, Dorji. "On the Relationship between Tathāgatagarbha Theory and Pratītyasamutpāda." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 7:34. https://youtu.be/OxvIEFyhvKA.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "On the Relationship between Tathāgatagarbha Theory and Pratītyasamutpāda." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 7:34. https://youtu.be/OxvIEFyhvKA.
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Dorji Wangchuk: How Can Ordinary Buddhists Access the Profound Teachings on Buddha-Nature?
Wangchuk, Dorji. "How Can Ordinary Buddhists Access the Profound Teachings on Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 3:17. https://youtu.be/RkpIR_cTmpA.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "How Can Ordinary Buddhists Access the Profound Teachings on Buddha-Nature?" Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, July 31, 2021. Video, 3:17. https://youtu.be/RkpIR_cTmpA.
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Peter Skilling: On the Importance of Luminosity in the Early Stages of the Pāli Tradition
Skilling, Peter. "On the Importance of Luminosity in the Early Stages of the Pāli Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 2:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x6nT5lyuCI.
Skilling, Peter. "On the Importance of Luminosity in the Early Stages of the Pāli Tradition." Conversations on Buddha-Nature with Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department, Oct 29, 2022. Video, 2:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x6nT5lyuCI.
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Robert Thurman: On the Different Conceptions of Buddha-Nature within the Various Schools of Tibetan Buddhism
Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho discusses themes of freedom, spirituality, and buddha-nature with world-renowned Buddhist scholar, translator, writer, and activist Robert Thurman.
Thurman, Robert. "On the Different Conceptions of Buddha-Nature within the Various Schools of Tibetan Buddhism." Interview by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho. Buddha-Nature as the Foundation of Freedom: Conversations on Buddha-Nature Series 2. November 28, 2020. Video, 12:13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtbfXkkX7Tg.
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Katrin Querl at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Katrin Querl presents an overview of Jikten Gonpo's position on Buddha-nature as outlined in the textual corpus known as the Single Intention (Dgongs gcig) and in two of this work's earliest commentaries.
Querl, Katrin. "Preliminary Notes on the Notion of Buddha Nature in the Single Intention." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 43:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp3GJz3-5DY.
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Buddha-Nature — Episode 22 of True Words: A Shingon Buddhist Podcast
This week's topic is Buddha Nature, in Sanskrit: tathāgatagarbha (如来藏). All sentient beings are considered to be in possession of the Buddha Nature, the potential to attain enlightenment. In this episode we discuss a bit about how to understand this concept, and compare it to philosophical ideas of human nature and its connection with morality.
Finch, Rev. George Kosho. "Buddha-Nature." True Words: A Shingon Buddhist Podcast, episode 22. Produced by the Foundation for Shingon Buddhism. August 5, 2017. Audio, 15:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpQM8qG8k0k.
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On Various Texts That Teach about Buddha-Nature by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku discusses the various texts that teach about buddha-nature beyond the Uttaratantraśāstra. He points to Nāgārjuna's praises, sūtras that are considered to be part of the third turning of the wheel of Dharma, Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation, Tāranātha's Jonang teachings, and works by Śākya Chokden, Longchenpa, and Mipam Rinpoche.
Ringu Tulku. “On Various Texts That Teach about Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Produced by Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 5:24. https://youtu.be/jjrS-TWoHJ8.
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On How Beginning Students Might Engage with Buddha-Nature Teachings by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku talks about how beginning students might start to orient themselves toward buddha-nature teachings in practice. He explains that it is important to recognize that everybody has the seed of wisdom and compassion within them, which can develop over time. The development of this wisdom through education, training, etc., is the practice of Buddhism and is what the path is all about.
Ringu Tulku. “On How Beginning Students Might Engage with Buddha-Nature Teachings.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 9:05. https://youtu.be/HZ2EGsfaLEw.
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Why Was Buddha-Nature Taught as Part of the Third Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma? by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku explains why buddha-nature teachings appear during the third turning of the wheel of the Dharma. He contends that the Buddha taught it later on in order to avoid confusion over whether buddha-nature was similar to the Hindu notion of ātman. This is why, he implies, the Buddha taught about emptiness first, so that buddha-nature teachings would not be understood to be positing a kind of substantial self.
Ringu Tulku. “Why Was Buddha-Nature Taught as Part of the Third Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 2:32. https://youtu.be/wmgYoSja0Q8.
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On Jamgon Kongtrul and the Different Approaches to Understanding Buddha-Nature by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku discusses Jamgön Kongtrul's Rime, or nonpartisan, approach to buddha-nature as opposed to the typical three-fold Tibetan approach of negating others' views, positing one's own view, and engaging in further debate. Such an approach, he suggests, while important, tends to lead to dogmatic views. He goes on to describe how the differences in views of buddha-nature are generally subtle differences, different ways to talk about the same thing. He continues by explaining how, according to Kongtrul, if one is engaged in analyzing reality, then the rangtong approach is best. And if one is trying to describe the experience of buddha-nature, then the zhentong approach works to accomplish this. In this way Kongtrul brings these two approaches together and sees them as two different ways of describing the same thing.
Ringu Tulku. “On Jamgon Kongtrul and the Different Approaches to Understanding Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 9:10. https://youtu.be/IVcFzZ7r-co.
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What Is Buddha-Nature? by Ringu Tulku
In describing the meaning of buddha-nature, Ringu Tulku explains that the point to be understood is that there is no essential difference between an enlightened being and an ordinary being, as both are the same. The enlightened being only recognizes who he/she is and the other does not. He goes on to explain how the buddha-nature teachings indicate that the enlightened state is possible for everyone, not just for a select few. The seeds of the idea of Buddha-nature, he continues, are present even in the early sūtras, and gradually such teachings became more explicit over time, especially in the Vajrayana.
Ringu Tulku. “What Is Buddha-Nature?” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 8:14. https://youtu.be/LdI_620Uj0M.
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On the Meaning of Chapter 1 Verse 28 of the Ratnagotravibhāga by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku explains the three reasons that are posited for why sentient beings have buddha-nature in chapter 1, verse 28 of the Ratnagotravibhāga. He explains that the first verse is referring to the notion that all beings have the same consciousness, a consciousness that is, at its core, luminous and clear. The second verse is referring to the idea that all phenomena are the same; it is appearance and emptiness. There is no differentiation between phenomena; hence the notion that, in reality, saṃsāra and nirvāṇa are the same. It is only that a person experiencing nirvana is experiencing reality in an undeluded way, whereas a saṃsāric being sees reality in a deluded way. The difference is in perception. The third verse is referring the fact that everyone possesses some seed of wisdom that can develop. For these reasons all beings are said to have buddha-nature. In his concluding remarks he discusses the relationship between a sentient being and a buddha.
Ringu Tulku. “On the Meaning of Chapter 1 Verse 28 of the Ratnagotravibhāga.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 13:26. https://youtu.be/pkd9S_V6Dlk.
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On Teaching Buddha-Nature to Beginners by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku talks about how the most important thing that Western students should understand about buddha-nature teachings is that buddha-nature refers to one's basic goodness. One always retains this sense of basic goodness, an idea that he places in contrast to the notion of Original Sin. He points out that Gampopa's text Jewel Ornament of Liberation teaches buddha-nature right from the beginning, an approach which he suggests makes sense for Westerners.
Ringu Tulku. “On Teaching Buddha-Nature to Beginners.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 3:18. https://youtu.be/RNFC4OdeRFw.
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On the Relationship between a Sentient Being and a Buddha by Ringu Tulku
In this excerpt, Ringu Tulku discusses the relationship between a sentient being and a buddha. He discusses how a Buddha is a being that sees reality in an undeluded, clear way, and when beings do not see reality clearly, they are called sentient beings. That is, a buddha is not something that exists on its own, apart from sentient beings; it is more like a description for a being who has developed wisdom to its fullest and experiences reality as it is. He goes on to explain how sometimes the categories of "sentient being" and its association with saṃsāṛa and "Buddha" and its association with nirvāṇa are often reified, and this tends to lead to confusion.
Ringu Tulku. “On the Relationship between a Sentient Being and a Buddha” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 5:07. https://youtu.be/6rTj6lLcUR0.
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On the Nature of Mind and Its Relationship to Buddha-Nature by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku continues his discussion of buddha-nature by further distinguishing what Buddha nature means. He explains that buddha-nature is not something external or something that is in our bodies to be located. Rather, buddha nature describes the way we are. He explains that the consciousness of the Buddha, which is clear and luminous, is the same as every other consciousness, but we do not recognize this as such. We instead tend to react to our experiences with dualistic thinking, which leads to negative emotions and to saṃsāric experience. Given that our minds share the same capacity for enlightenment as the Buddha, the task is then to recognize this and transform our experience.
Ringu Tulku. “On the Nature of Mind and Its Relationship to Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 7:46. https://youtu.be/0NKhxlJCelo.
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Buddha Nature by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Ringu Tulku. "Buddha Nature." Pt. 1 of 3. Produced by and filmed at Karma Sonam Dargye Ling Temple, December 1, 2015. Video, 1:37:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8BD50jtFgg.
Ringu Tulku. "Buddha Nature." Pt. 1 of 3. Produced by and filmed at Karma Sonam Dargye Ling Temple, December 1, 2015. Video, 1:37:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8BD50jtFgg.
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On the Uttaratantrashastra as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku. “On the Uttaratantrashastra as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 2:10. https://youtu.be/lNUpq1Rq2n0.
Ringu Tulku. “On the Uttaratantrashastra as a Bridge between Sutra and Tantra” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 2:10. https://youtu.be/lNUpq1Rq2n0.
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On His First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings by Ringu Tulku
Ringu Tulku describes how the first time he engaged with buddha-nature teachings was via the Lion’s Roar: Exposition of Buddha-Nature (Bde gshegs snying po'i stong thun chen mo seng+ge'i nga ro) by Mipam Gyatso. He explains how this approach was unusual and was determined by the availability of texts.
Ringu Tulku. “On His First Encounter with Buddha-Nature Teachings.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, October 10, 2019. Video, 2:08. https://youtu.be/mVOxtut0Bi4.
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Trusting in Our Own Buddha Nature
Rinso Ed Sattizahn gives a dharma talk at San Francisco Zen Center's City Center on the topic of buddha-nature. He touches on selections from Dōgen's Genjōkōan to illustrate this Buddhist teaching.
Sattizahn, Rinso Ed. "Trusting in Our Own Buddha Nature." Recorded December 8, 2018 at San Francisco Zen Center's City Center. Audio, 36:22. https://soundcloud.com/sanfranciscozencenter/trusting-in-our-own-buddha.
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Khenpo Sherab Sangpo: Teachings on Buddha Nature
Khenpo Sherab Sangpo offers teachings and guided meditation on the topic of buddha-nature during a retreat on February 15, 2020 at Bodhicitta Sangha: Heart of Enlightenment Institute in Minneapolis Minnesota.
Sangpo, Khenpo Sherab. "Khenpo Sherab Sangpo: Teachings on Buddha Nature." pt. 1 of 4. Produced by Bodhicitta Sangha: Heart of Enlightenment Institute, February 15, 2020. Video, 55:57, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd_wGlk9HQc.
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Kurtis Schaeffer at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Kurtis Schaeffer discusses Jikme Lingpa's view and attitude toward buddha-nature as found in his major philosophical work, the Treasury of Precious Qualities, and in various other writings. He shows how Jikme Lingpa maintained an antinomian approach to buddha-nature in the context of Great Perfection thought.
Schaeffer, Kurtis. "Notes from the Cave: 'Jigs med gling pa on Buddha-Nature." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 37:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x32COWVlJ38.
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Michael Sheehy at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Michael Sheehy explores the “images of emptiness” or expressions of emptiness in the Kālacakra Tantra. He discusses how these were interpreted by Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (1292-1361) and his immediate disciples to be direct expressions of tathāgatagarbha.
Sheehy, Michael. "Tantric Zhentong Visions of Tathāgatagarbha in Tibetan Kālacakra Yoga Manuals." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 46:01. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm7z5pR1EGA.
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Buddhism's Buddha-Nature and Confucianism's Idea of Inherent Goodness by Sheng Yen
Buddhism's buddha-nature and Confucianism's idea of inherent goodness are different in that Buddhism's "nature" is emptiness while that of Mencius and Xunzi means a person's character or disposition, which is something substantial. Buddhism teaches us to engage in spiritual practice in order to rid ourselves of vexations, thereby manifesting our original buddha-nature, while Mencius and Xunzi both advocated the importance of education: Education can turn good into evil and evil into good. (Source Accessed Nov 17, 2020)
Sheng Yen. "Buddhism's Buddha-Nature and Confucianism's Idea of Inherent Goodness." Produced by Dharma Drum Mountain, January 3, 2016. Video, 8:33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv2qlACVB8I.
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One's True Mind and Inherent Nature by Sheng Yen
Our true mind is the pure mind of wisdom free of defilements. Our inherent nature refers to the nature of our being something common, which is also called the Buddha-nature. By taking refuge in our inner buddha-nature and letting go of our guest mind, which is subject to vexations, we can see our true mind, which is beyond defilement but functions as wisdom. To take refuge in oneself, one must first be able to realize the nature of his mind by the guidance of the Three Jewels. (Source Accessed Nov 17, 2020)
Sheng Yen. "One's True Mind and Inherent Nature: How to Take Refuge in Oneself." Produced by Dharma Drum Mountain, December 28, 2012. Video, 8:43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsA7rG2jvpI.
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Khenpo Sherab Phuntsho on Application of Buddha-Nature in Kagyu Tradition
སྒྲུབ་བརྒྱུད་ཀམ་ཚང་བཀའ་བརྒྱུད་དུ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་སྐོར་དགོངས་བཞེད་དང་ཉམས་བཞེས་སྐོར།
Understanding and Application of Buddha-Nature in the Karma Kagyu Tradition


Khenpo gives a clear explanation of the buddha-nature as understood in the Karma Kagyu tradition based on the teachings on the 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje. He breaks down his presentation into three parts:

1. Literature on buddha-nature in Kagyu tradition in general and the Karma Kagyu subschool in particular
2. Rangjung Dorje's formulation of buddha-nature through 15 distinct points
3. The practical application of buddha-nature.

Khenpo skips the detailed listing of the works on buddha-nature in the Kagyu tradition, which he lists in his long article. Explaining Rangjung Dorje's formulation of buddha-nature, Khenpo says that Rangjung Dorje is a leading voice on buddha-nature, final wheel and tantras, and perhaps the first Tibetan to compose independent texts on buddha-nature, with his Treatise on Tathāgata Heart and Distinguishing Consciousness and Pristine Wisdom. He also wrote his commentary on Nāgārjuna's In Praise of Dharmadhātu, which mainly discusses the buddha-element. Although the writings of many later scholars such as Longchenpa, Jonangpa, et. al., are similar to Rangjung Dorje's understanding, he stands out as a clear and pioneering Tibetan thinker on buddha-nature.

Rangjung Dorje presents a clear definition of buddha-nature as possessing four characteristics of a union: indivisibility of emptiness and appearance like a reflection of the moon in water, indivisibility of emptiness and luminosity like a reflection in a mirror, indivisibility of emptiness and awareness like a rainbow, and indivisibility of emptiness and bliss like the taste of mute person. The definition is further clarified by his disciple Sherab Rinchen. Buddha-nature is thus the luminous nature of mind which has these four characteristics of union and is the natural ordinary consciousness.

Khenpo explains that Rangjung Dorje accepted both middle wheel and final wheel as definitive and concurring on the same point that is buddha-nature. Buddha-nature is the reality, ultimate truth, and dharmakāya. It is the ground for all existence, eternal, permanent, and unconditioned. It is pure by nature and not stained by impurities, but it is obscured by temporary impurities which do not corrupt its nature. Such buddha-nature is emptiness free from conceptual and linguistic elaborations. It is the innate mind or ground tantra taught in the tantric literature.

Explaining how the various Buddhist schools of thought view phenomena such as a flower or vase, Khenpo explains that the great middle way of zhentong is the ultimate way of grasping the nature of the flower as being identical with the nature of the mind. A flower is a projection of the mind, and the mind, by nature, is not only empty but also luminous, and it is the union of luminosity and emptiness which forms the ultimate truth. In this respect, Khenpo points out that there is nothing so surprising or unacceptable in seeing a vase, flower, or other objects as possessing buddha-nature. He elaborates the 15 points to demonstrate the essence of buddha-nature.
Sherab Phuntsho, Khenpo. "Khenpo Sherab Phuntsho at the 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference." 2023 Buddha-Nature Conference, Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu. Produced by the Tsadra Foundation Research Department. Video,
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Buddha-Nature: A Talk by Khenpo Tshewang Sonam in Thimphu, Bhutan
Khenpo Tshewang Sonam, the lama of Tharpaling monastery, explains in this video what is buddha-nature or tathāgathagarbha by mentioning the sources of buddha-nature teachings and identifying it with the nature of the mind which is free from conceptual fabrications. He mentions that the practice of recognizing the nature of the mind is a direct way of accessing the buddha-nature latent in all sentient beings. When the pristine nonconceptual nature of the mind is fully realized, such nature is termed as dharmakāya from which emanates all the embodied forms of buddhahood, just like the reflections of the moon appearing in different water bodies. བཀའ་ཆོས་འདིར་ཐར་པ་གླིང་གི་བླ་མ་མཁན་པོ་ཚེ་དབང་བསོད་ནམས་ནས་དེ་བཞིན་གཤེགས་པའི་སྙིང་པོའི་ཆོས་ཀྱི་ཁུངས་བཀའ་བསྟན་བཅོས་ངོས་འཛིན་དང་། དེ་བཞིན་གཤེགས་པའི་སྙིང་པོ་ཞེས་པ་སེམས་ཀྱི་གནས་ལུགས་འོད་གསལ་མི་རྟོག་པའི་རང་བཞིན་ཡིན་པར་་ངོས་འཛིན་དང་། དེ་ཉིད་སེམས་ངོ་སྤྲོད་པའི་གདམས་པ་དང་ཉམས་ལེན་གྱི་སྒོ་ནས་མངོན་བུ་བྱེད་ཚུལ་དང་། སེམས་ཅན་གྱི་སྐབས་རྣམ་རྟོག་གི་བསྒྲིབས་པའི་བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོ་ཉིད། རྣམ་རྟོག་ཞི་ནས་སངས་རྒྱས་པའི་སྐབས་ཆོས་སྐུ་ཡིན་པ་དང་། དེ་ལས་འགྲོ་བའི་བློ་ངོར་གཟུགས་སྐུའི་བཀོད་པ་ཤར་ཚུལ་གནམ་གྱི་ཟླ་བ་ཆུ་ལ་གཟུགས་བརྙན་ཤར་བའི་དཔེའི་སྒོ་ནས་བསྟན་ཡོད་པ་ཡིན།
Sonam, Khenpo Tshewang. "Buddha-Nature." Produced by Lopen Dr. Karma Phuntsho, Thimphu, Bhutan, 2021. Video, 16:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21zUyp7bKs.
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Jacqueline Stone at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Jacqueline Stone discusses the doctrine of original enlightenment (hongaku hōmon) and the debate over whether such a concept negates the need for practice and legitimates sinful acts. She explores the notion of original enlightenment as it is portrayed in the twelfth-century text known as Shinnyo kan (Contemplation of Suchness).
Stone, Jacqueline. "From Buddha Nature to Original Enlightenment: 'Contemplating Suchness' in Medieval Japan." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 47:26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zXXWsD39hc.
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Does a Dog Have Buddha Nature? By Tenshin Reb Anderson
Tenshin Reb Anderson gives a dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm on the topic of buddha-nature, later addressing the question, "Does a dog have buddha-nature?"
Anderson, Tenshin Reb. "Does a Dog Have Buddha Nature?" Recorded July 22, 2018 at San Francisco Zen Center's Green Gulch Farm. Audio, 47:06. https://soundcloud.com/sanfranciscozencenter/does-a-dog-have-buddha-nature.
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Teachings on Buddha-Nature: Commentary on the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra by Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin
Teachings on the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra by Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin at Tibetan Meditation Center, Frederick, MD. According to the posters, the third installment was lost due to recording errors, and the teachings from May 15, 2016 (part 14) have been lost due to a sound encoding problem.
Tenzin, Khenpo Tsultrim. "Teachings on Buddha-Nature: Commentary on the Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra." Pt. 1 of 20. Produced by Tibetan Meditation Center, Frederick, MD, September 27, 2015. Video, 1:49:02. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjjAyQdDSLU.
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Recognizing Our True Nature by Lama Tharchin Rinpoche
Lama Tharchin Rinpoche teaches on buddha-nature at Bodhi House in Olympia, Washington, Nov. 8, 2011.
Tharchin, Lama. "Recognizing Our True Nature." Produced by Heart Teachings by Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. Recorded at Bodhi House, Olympia, Washington, Nov. 8, 2011. Heart Teachings Video Series. Video, 1:38:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ3nBlyEcwI.
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We Are Enlightened by Nature
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche provides encouragement that we are all enlightened by nature, and the path is a process of discovering that enlightened nature. Meditation practice serves to help us contact the nature directly. If we are in retreat and are making progress in that discovery process, we can relax because we are moving towards our goal.
Dzigar Kongtrul, 2nd. "We Are Enlightened by Nature." Modern Day Bodhisattva Seminar, Talk 3. Produced by Wisdom Productions at Mangala Shri Bhuti, June 7, 2015. Video, 5:14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvXpgRu1wt4.
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Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions: Chapter 14: Buddha Nature: A Talk by Thubten Chodron
Thubten Chodron guides viewers through her book, Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions in this video series produced by Sravasti Abbey. This talk addressing Chapter 14 discusses buddha-nature by way of emptiness. Venerable Thubten Chodron presents that emptiness is the reason that the mind's afflictions and obscurations can be purified and that purification process reveals buddha-nature inherent in the minds of all beings.
Chodron, T. "Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions. Chapter 14: Buddha Nature." Pt. 1 of 4. Produced by Sravasti Abbey, November 15, 2017. Video, 1:15:30, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XpyXg7sAnw.
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Khenpo Tokpa Tulku: The Sublime Continuum
In this talk given to students during RYI's Buddhist philosophy class on The Sublime Continuum by Arya Maitreya, Khenpo Karma Gyurme (also known as Khenpo Tokpa Tulku) covers the following topics:

In the first talk, he explains what marks the beginning of the bodhisattva path and the distinction between a noble bodhisattva and an aspiring bodhisattva. Furthermore, he explains the difference between emotional compassion and wisdom-based compassion. He introduces the four means of magnetizing, a skillful method used by Bodhisattvas to benefit others.

In the second talk, he expands on the four means of magnetizing; generosity, pleasant speech, teaching according to the needs of beings, and being consistent in conduct. He explains how noble bodhisattvas implement these methods and provides practical advice to aspiring bodhisattvas on how to engage with them. The translation is by RYI's translator, Anya Zilman. (Source Accessed Sep 30, 2020)
Tokpa Tulku. "Khenpo Tokpa Tulku: The Sublime Continuum." 2 pts. A talk given to students during RYI's Buddhist philosophy class on The Sublime Continuum by Arya Maitreya. In Tibetan, with English translation by Anna Zilman. Produced by the Rangjung Yeshe Institute, n.d. Video, pt. 1, 1:26:38; pt. 2, 1:30:21. https://www.ryi.org/free-online-resources.
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On the Three Reasons That All Beings Have Buddha-Nature by Tokpa Tulku
Tokpa Tulku discusses the three reasons all beings have buddha-nature, which come from chapter 1 verse 28 of the Uttaratantraśāstra, or Gyü Lama. As for the first reason, he points to the fact that the Buddha was once a deluded sentient being. Therefore, if the Buddha, through developing wisdom, attained enlightenment, this proves that sentient beings have buddha-nature, that they can also achieve the same. The second verse, he explains, points to the notion that the Buddha's mind and the mind of a sentient being are the same; while they are different in terms of their obscurations and level of delusion, from the ultimate point of view they are of the same nature. As for the third reason, he points to the fact that all sentient beings want to be happy and free of suffering, a quality which proves that all beings have buddha-nature.
Tokpa Tulku. “On the Three Reasons That All Beings Have Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 22, 2019. Video, 6:29. https://youtu.be/yx60OVqkuxc.
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On Rangtong and Shentong Views of Buddha-Nature by Tokpa Tulku
Tokpa Tulku describes the differences between the rangtong and shentong views of buddha-nature. He follows Mipam rinpoche in describing these seemingly opposing views as two different ways of describing the same buddha-nature. While many scholars have emphasized the emptiness aspect or the luminous or permanent aspect of buddha-nature, both, he suggests, need to be brought together in order to go beyond extremes and dualistic thinking.
Tokpa Tulku. “On Rangtong and Shentong Views of Buddha-Nature.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 22, 2019. Video, 4:12. https://youtu.be/VJZ3wU4W9Gw.
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On Learning about the Uttaratantrashastra in the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Shedra by Tokpa Tulku
Tokpa Tulku discusses his experiences learning about the Uttaratantrashastra, or Gyü Lama, in the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling shedra. This is a topic, he explains, that comes later on in the eighth year of studies, after the the study of the sūtras. He describes how the text acts as a bridge between sūtra and tantra, as there is a certain transition that one goes through when moving from one to the other. The text aids in this transition.
Tokpa Tulku. “On Learning about the Uttaratantrashastra in the Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Shedra.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 22, 2019. Video, 4:13. https://youtu.be/Jj3gRgZ3dl0.
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On How to Approach Buddha-Nature in Practice by Tokpa Tulku
In this video Tokpa Tulku begins by describing the difficulty inherent in understanding the unity of emptiness and luminosity, or appearance, an understanding made more difficult by our habitual patterns of thinking. He goes on to describe how buddha-nature is considered the ground of one's practice, as it is concerned with the view and the possibility of becoming a buddha. Gaining certainty that one has buddha-nature aids in one's practice. It is especially important in modern times, where people are looking elsewhere for security and happiness. Buddha-nature, in contrast, is that which is always within you, as a refuge.
Tokpa Tulku. “On How to Approach Buddha-Nature in Practice.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 22, 2019. Video, 7:47. https://youtu.be/N932YmrzHAE.
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On Buddha-Nature as a Topic of Debate by Tokpa Tenpa
Continuing his discussion of the curriculum at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling, Tokpa Tulku explains that buddha-nature can be a part of debate. However, it is a much more difficult topic than attempting to debate the topic of emptiness. The difficulty lies in the fact that buddha-nature is beyond one's experience.
Tokpa Tulku. “On Buddha-Nature as a Topic of Debate.” Interview by Marcus Perman. Tsadra Foundation Research Department, April 22, 2019. Video, 2:32. https://youtu.be/nio3b9t9PMY.
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Buddha Potential 1: Uttaratantra by Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha
In this nine-part series, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche teaches on chapter one of the Uttaratantra, Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana by Maitreya. This important text clarifies the meaning of our Buddha potential, in particular the emptiness of the mind that allows evolution to a state of complete enlightenment, and gives an extensive explanation of the meaning of the Three Jewels--Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. This teaching was given at Land of Medicine Buddha in 2003 and includes both Tibetan and English interpretation by Voula Zarpani. The first part includes six parts of six classes and three discussion classes led by Venerable George Churinoff.
Tsenshab, Kirti. "Buddha Potential 1: Uttaratantra by Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche." Pt. 1 of 9. Filmed at Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, CA, 2003. Video, 1:27:14. https://vimeo.com/136634699.
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Buddha Potential 2: Uttaratantra by Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche at Land of Medicine Buddha
In this seven part series, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche teaches on chapter one of the Uttaratantra, Sublime Continuum of the Mahayana by Maitreya. This text clarifies the meaning of our Buddha potential, in particular the emptiness of the mind that allows evolution to a state of complete enlightenment, and gives an extensive explanation of the meaning of the Three Jewels - Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. This teaching was given at Land of medicine Buddha in 2004 and includes both Tibetan and English interpreted by Venerable Tse Yang.
Tsenshab, Kirti. "Buddha Potential 2: Uttaratantra by Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche." Pt. 1 of 7. Filmed at Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, CA, 2004. Video, 1:35:47. https://vimeo.com/141332642.
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Introduction to Discovering the Buddha Within Program by Twelfth Tai Situ Pema Dönyö Nyinje
Discovering the Buddha Within is an experiential learning program of the Buddha Dharma created as part of the vast vision of Guru Vajradhara His Holiness the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa. The aim of this curriculum is to explain the essence of the Buddha's teachings in an easy and understandable yet comprehensive way. This three-year curriculum follows the Buddha's teachings on the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma, followed by the sacred transmission of four tantras that correspond to three gradual levels of discovering the ultimate nature of the mind and phenomena. For each level, the teacher will explain the view (intellectual understanding), meditation (experiential understanding), and application (applying this understanding to change one's daily habits) of the topics according to Shravakayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.

Meditations that form the core part of each level are divided into two sections: Shamatha (calm abiding) and Vipashyana (advanced insight).

The main masters who will teach the Discovering the Buddha Within curriculum are His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and other masters including His Eminence Gyalton Rinpoche and senior khenpos of Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat.

This program is open to everyone, long term Buddhist as well as non-Buddhists willing to learn the foundation of meditation and Buddhist' universal wisdom.

《開啟內在之佛》 是一個體驗式的佛法學習課程，是作為上師金剛持尊勝的第十二世慈尊廣定大司徒巴的宏大願景之一而設置。課程目的是以簡明易懂而又全面綜合的方式來講解佛陀教法的精要。課程為期三年，依於佛陀三轉法輪的教法，而後依據四部密續之神聖傳承，其對應於開啟心與現象究竟本性的三次第。每個次第，導師將依聲聞乘、大乘和金剛乘來講解該主題的見（智識上的領悟）、修（體驗式的領悟）和行（以此領悟來改變其日常習慣）。

禪修將作為每個次第的核心，其可以分為兩個部分：奢摩他（寂止）與 毗婆舍那（勝觀）。

此課程面向所有人士，包括長期的佛教徒以及意樂學習禪修基礎與佛教普遍智慧的非佛教徒們。

《開啟內在之佛》 課程的教授師主要有尊貴的詠給明就仁波切、尊貴的賈敦仁波切及八蚌智慧林的資深堪布等。(Source Accessed June 8, 2023)
Tai Situpa, 12th. "Introduction to Discovering the Buddha Within Program." Produced by the Palpung Audio and Visual Archive (PAVA), June 3, 2023. Video, 8:52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYVpA4GgmCg.
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Buddha Nature by Ven. Ajahn Brahm
Ajahn Brahm responds to a question about whether human nature is closer to the Mahayana Buddhist idea of “buddha nature” or the Christian idea of “original sin.”
Ajahn Brahm. "Buddha Nature by Ven. Ajahn Brahm." Recorded December 27, 2002. Audio, 55:18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69VQ8Ok4WlA.
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On the Awakening of Faith in the Mahāyāna by Venerable Dhammadipa
Venerable Dhammadipa discusses the significance of the text Awakening of Faith in the Mahāyāna, a text which he has translated into Czech.
Thero, Ven. Dhammadipa. "On the Awakening of Faith in the Mahāyāna." Interview by Marcus Perman. Salon Tibétain, Tsadra Foundation, Boulder, CO, Jan 30, 2019. Video, 15:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T31Tk_Pj_nI.
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On Yogachara, Shamatha and Vipashyana Meditation, and Tathāgatagarbha as Skillful Means by Venerable Dhammadipa
Venerable Dhammadipa discusses the Yogachara tradition and some of its main texts, touching upon the importance of Shamatha and Vipashyana meditation.
Thero, Ven. Dhammadipa. "On Yogachara, Shamatha and Vipashyana Meditation, and Tathāgatagarbha as Skillful Means." Interview by Marcus Perman. Salon Tibétain, Tsadra Foundation, Boulder, CO, Jan 30, 2019. Video, 3:22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl18UDkaB-4.
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On How He Came to Study the Yogachara Tradition by Venerable Dhammadipa
Venerable Dhammadipa describes how he came to study the Yogachara tradition, having been first ordained in the Theravada tradition.
Thero, Ven. Dhammadipa. "On How He Came to Study the Yogachara Tradition." Interview by Marcus Perman. Salon Tibétain, Tsadra Foundation, Boulder, CO, Jan 30, 2019. Video, 6:15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsQpIOx_9rQ.
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On the Nature of Mind in Yogachara by Venerable Dhammadipa
Venerable Dhammadipa discusses the nature of mind in the Yogachara tradition, touching upon notions such as luminosity, emptiness, and suchness.
Thero, Ven. Dhammadipa. "On the Nature of Mind in Yogachara." Interview by Marcus Perman. Salon Tibétain, Tsadra Foundation, Boulder, CO, Jan 30, 2019. Video, 10:17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z5CKnHRJ9E.
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Buddha Nature and the Yogācāra Analysis of Mind in The Awakening of Faith
Ven. Dhammadipa (“Island of Dharma”) is ordained in both Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions and teaches śamatha and vipaśyanā meditation at monasteries and universities worldwide in addition to studying and translating Buddhist texts from Pali, Sanskrit, and Chinese. He spoke with students at RYI on October 6, 2015 about the topic of Buddha-Nature in the text The Awakening of Faith in Mahāyāna.
Thero, Ven. Dhammadipa. "Buddha Nature and the Yogācāra Analysis of Mind in The Awakening of Faith." Recorded October 6, 2015 at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Nepal. Audio, 1:43:28. https://soundcloud.com/rangjung-yeshe-institute/ven-dhammadipa-buddha-nature-and-the-yogacara-analysis-of-mind-in-the-awakening-of-faith.
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On the Roots of Tathāgatagarbha and His Position on the Concept by Venerable Dhammadipa
Venerable Dhammadipa discusses the concept of tathāgatagarbha, or buddha-nature, and its appearance in Chinese Buddhist traditions, noting that one hardly finds anything about the concept in the Theravada tradition.
Thero, Ven. Dhammadipa. "On the Roots of Tathāgatagarbha and His Position on the Concept." Interview by Marcus Perman. Salon Tibétain, Tsadra Foundation, Boulder, CO, Jan 30, 2019. Video, 7:35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvQ4W0U7JY8.
Video
Essence of Buddha-Nature by B. Alan Wallace
In this video segment B. Alan Wallace talks about buddha-nature and the concept of tathāgatagarbha. This talk was part of a Spring 8-week retreat on Shamatha, Vipashyana, and Mahamudra, based upon two texts: Panchen Lozang Chökyi Gyaltsen’s Highway of the Jinas: A Root Text on the Precious Geluk-Kagyü Mahamudra Tradition, and Karma Chagmé’s Naked Awareness: Practical Teachings on the Union. (Source Accessed Nov 17, 2020)
Wallace, B. Alan. "Essence of Buddha-Nature." Produced by Jeffrey Khoo, Claudio Li Caizi, Brenton Palmer-Angell, and Diogo Rolo. Filmed during a Spring eight-week retreat on Shamatha, Vipashyana, and Mahamudra held April–May 2016 at Lama Tsongkhapa Institute, Pomaia, Italy. Video, 27:53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHMFbgfX6ys.
Video
Dorji Wangchuk at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
Dorji Wangchuk discusses critiques of Buddha-nature theory as non-Buddhist and as opposed to the Buddha's teaching on dependent arising. In particular, he looks at how Rongzom Chökyi Zangpo interprets the tathāgatagarbha theory in relation to the pratītyasamutpāda theory.
Wangchuk, Dorji. "Rong-zom-pa on the Tathāgatagarbha and Pratītyasamutpāda Theories." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 45:33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slogomESI8.
Video
About Faith: Everyone Has Buddha-Nature
Was Buddha a human or a god? Harvard Divinity School student Yin Guan, MTS ’19 gives the 2-minute story about the Buddha-nature within us all.
Guan, Yin. "About Faith: Everyone Has Buddha-Nature." Produced by Jade Rei Sylvan. Video, 1:38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vILGYjab20w.
Video
Buddha Nature: What is it? How is it different from soul? A Teaching from Zasep Tulku
"Everyone has Buddha Nature," explains H.E. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche in a "learning from the Teachers" video on the topic from BuddhaWeekly. In this short video teaching, Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche explains why understanding “Buddha Nature” — in Sanskrit, tathāgatagarbha — can really inspire your Buddhist practice. This short teaching was in response to a question from a student. The student asked: What is Buddha Nature? Why is it important? How is it different from the concept of soul?
Zasep Tulku. "Buddha Nature: What Is It? How Is It Different from Soul?" Produced by Buddha Weekly, February 5, 2018. Video, 13:03. https://buddhaweekly.com/buddha-nature-important-video-teaching-venerable-zasep-rinpoche-mantra-chanting-yoko-dharma/.
Video
Michael Zimmermann at the 2019 Tathāgatagarbha Symposium
In light of the argument that the theory of Buddha-nature is non-Buddhist, Michael Zimmerman summarizes more recent research on the earliest history of buddha-nature thought in India and discusses possible reasons for why the idea that all sentient beings have buddha-nature made its appearance.
Zimmermann, Michael. "New Research on the Concept of Buddha-Nature in India: The Beginnings." Paper presented at the University of Vienna Symposium, Tathāgatagarbha Across Asia, Vienna, Austria, July 2019. Video, 45:00. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYkBSSAJ-zo.
Video
All Living Beings Have Buddha-Nature: The Genesis of the Concept of Universal Buddhahood
This lecture will focus on one particular strand of thought in the history of Buddhism. Often neglected by scholars and even deemed to be non-Buddhist, the idea of universal buddhahood unfolded enormous influence throughout the history of Buddhism. The concept that all living beings have buddha-nature has its beginning in the early centuries of the common era in India. Its impact was crucial for the spread of Buddhism in Asia.

Direct forerunners of the idea that all living beings have buddha-nature are the Lotus Sutra and parts of the Avataṁsaka (華嚴經). The lecture will discuss how the concept of buddha-nature came into existence, what kind of factors were crucial for this development, and how the idea was described in its earliest literature. Recent years have seen a fresh and unexpected re-arrangement of the early history of buddha-nature thought. These new developments will also be presented and evaluated.
Zimmermann, Michael. "All Living Beings Have Buddha-Nature: The Genesis of the Concept of Universal Buddhahood." Produced by Glorisun Global Network for Buddhist Studies and FROGBEAR, October 7, 2019, at The University of British Columbia. Glorisun Distinguished Lecture Series. Video, 1:06:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZg45nKtOTM.

Uttaratantra - The Ultimate Continuum, or Gyü Lama, is often used as a short title in the Tibetan tradition for the key source text of buddha-nature teachings called the Ratnagotravibhāga of Maitreya/Asaṅga, also known as the Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra. Skt. उत्तरतन्त्र Tib. རྒྱུད་བླ་མ་ Ch. 寶性論

These are the root verses of the Uttaratantra attributed to Maitreya by the Tibetan tradition.

These are the root verses of the Uttaratantra attributed to Maitreya by the Tibetan tradition.

kleśa - Often referred to as poisons, these are a class of disturbing or disruptive emotional states that when aroused negatively affect or taint the mind. Skt. क्लेश Tib. ཉོན་མོངས་ Ch. 煩惱

tathāgatagarbha - Buddha-nature, literally the "womb/essence of those who have gone (to suchness)." Skt. तथागतगर्भ Tib. དེ་བཞིན་གཤེགས་པའི་སྙིང་པོ་ Ch. 如来藏

sems nyid - Commonly found in Dzogchen and Mahāmudrā literature, this term denotes the true, natural state of mind as it is. Often used in these traditions as a synonym for buddha-nature. Skt. चित्तत्व Tib. སེམས་ཉིད་

tathāgatagarbha - Buddha-nature, literally the "womb/essence of those who have gone (to suchness)." Skt. तथागतगर्भ Tib. དེ་བཞིན་གཤེགས་པའི་སྙིང་པོ་ Ch. 如来藏

prabhāsvaratā - In a general sense, that which clears away darkness, though it often appears in Buddhist literature in reference to the mind or its nature. It is a particularly salient feature of Tantric literature, especially in regard to the advanced meditation techniques of the completion-stage yogas. Skt. प्रभास्वर Tib. འོད་གསལ་ Ch. 光明

prabhāsvaratā - In a general sense, that which clears away darkness, though it often appears in Buddhist literature in reference to the mind or its nature. It is a particularly salient feature of Tantric literature, especially in regard to the advanced meditation techniques of the completion-stage yogas. Skt. प्रभास्वर Tib. འོད་གསལ་ Ch. 光明

prabhāsvaracitta - The luminous aspect of mind that is often contrasted with its empty aspect. It is often used figuratively to reference the cognizant, or knowing, aspect of mind and sometimes more literally as the natural luminosity of mind and luminous wisdom that is experienced in meditation. Skt. प्रभास्वरचित्त Tib. འོད་གསལ་གྱི་སེམས་ Ch. 光明心

Jonang - The Jonang tradition was established by Dölpopa Sherab Gyaltsen, a thirteenth-century Sakya monk famous for his Zhentong teachings. The Jonang teachings and monasteries were suppressed in Tibet in the seventeenth century but survived in Amdo. Tib. ཇོ་ནང་

gzhan stong - The state of being devoid of that which is wholly different rather than being void of its own nature. The term is generally used to refer to the ultimate, or buddha-nature, being empty of other phenomena such as adventitious defiling emotions but not empty of its true nature. Tib. གཞན་སྟོང་

tridharmacakrapravartana - Three successive stages of the Buddhist teachings. Though they are traditionally attributed to the historical Buddha, modern scholarship tends to view them as developmental stages that occurred over the course of an extended period of time, with interludes of several centuries, in which we see major doctrinal shifts often based on seemingly newly emergent scriptural sources. Skt. त्रिधर्मचक्रप्रवर्तन Tib. ཆོས་འཁོར་རིམ་པ་གསུམ་

neyārtha - Refers to something that is taught for a specific reason, rather than because it is entirely true. Skt. नेयार्थ Tib. དྲང་དོན་

nītārtha - Refers to a teaching that is literally true. Skt. नीतार्थ Tib. ངེས་དོན་

prasajyapratiṣedha - A negation that merely denies the existence of something without implicitly suggesting an alternative. Skt. प्रसज्यप्रतिषेध Tib. མེད་དགག་

Geluk - The Geluk tradition traces its origin to Tsongkhapa, who propagated a modified version of the Kadampa lojong and lamrim teachings. It is the dominant tradition of Tibet, having established its control of the government under the figure of the Dalai Lama. Tib. དགེ་ལུགས་

guṇa - The qualities or attributes of an enlightened being. Skt. गुण Tib. ཡོན་ཏན་ Ch. 功德

gzhan stong - The state of being devoid of that which is wholly different rather than being void of its own nature. The term is generally used to refer to the ultimate, or buddha-nature, being empty of other phenomena such as adventitious defiling emotions but not empty of its true nature. Tib. གཞན་སྟོང་

Sakya - The Sakya tradition developed in the eleventh century in the Khön family of Tsang, which maintained an imperial-era lineage of Vajrakīla and which adopted a new teaching from India known as Lamdre. Tib. ས་སྐྱ་

gzhan stong - The state of being devoid of that which is wholly different rather than being void of its own nature. The term is generally used to refer to the ultimate, or buddha-nature, being empty of other phenomena such as adventitious defiling emotions but not empty of its true nature. Tib. གཞན་སྟོང་

Kagyu - The Kagyu school traces its origin to the eleventh-century translator Marpa, who studied in India with Nāropa. Marpa's student Milarepa trained Gampopa, who founded the first monastery of the Kagyu order. As many as twelve subtraditions grew out from there, the best known being the Karma Kagyu, the Drikung, and the Drukpa. Tib. བཀའ་བརྒྱུད་

śūnyatā - The state of being empty of an innate nature due to a lack of independently existing characteristics. Skt. शून्यता Tib. སྟོང་པ་ཉིད་ Ch. 空,空門

Tsen Tradition - Tsen Khawoche's "meditative tradition" of exegesis of the Uttaratantra; it is one of two major Tibetan traditions of exegesis, both stemming from students of Sajjana. Tib. བཙན་ལུགས་

IATS - International Association for Tibetan Studies

sūtra - Sūtras mainly refer to the discourses delivered by the Buddha and his disciples, and the Sūtra corpus is one of the three main sets of teachings which form the Buddhist canon. Skt. सूत्र Tib. མདོ། Ch. 佛经

tantra - Tantra, when juxtaposed with Sūtra, generally refers to the scriptures and texts which discuss esoteric topics. While the term is used to refer to texts on other topics, it is mostly used to refer to the genre of scriptures and texts on themes and topics associated with Vajrayāna Buddhism. Skt. तन्त्र Tib. རྒྱུད། Ch. 密宗

dharmakāya - "Truth body" or "true being" — One of the three bodies of a buddha. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, it often refers to a kind of fundamental principle or the true nature of reality itself. Skt. धर्मकाय Tib. ཆོས་སྐུ་ Ch. 法身

āvaraṇa - Literally, that which obscures or conceals. Often listed as a set of two obscurations (sgrib gnyis): the afflictive emotional obscurations (Skt. kleśāvaraṇa, Tib. nyon mongs pa'i sgrib pa) and the cognitive obscurations (Skt. jñeyāvaraṇa, Tib. shes bya'i sgrib pa). By removing the first, one becomes free of suffering, and by removing the second, one becomes omniscient. Skt. आवरण Tib. སྒྲིབ་པ་

āgantukamala - Mental stains that are not inherent to the nature of the mind but are temporarily present as the residue of past actions or habitual tendencies. It is sometimes iterated as adventitious defilements (Skt. āgantukakleśa, Tib. glo bur gyi nyon mongs), which references the fickle and temporary nature of disturbing emotions that lack an ultimately established basis for existence. Skt. आगन्तुकमल Tib. གློ་བུར་གྱི་དྲི་མ་

Dzogchen - Dzogchen is an advanced system of meditation techniques to reveal the innate state of perfection primarily, but not exclusively, espoused by the Nyingma Buddhist tradition and the Tibetan Bön tradition. Skt. महासन्धि Tib. རྫོགས་ཆེན།

tha mal gyi shes pa - A Mahāmudrā term for the basic state of consciousness that has not been fabricated or altered in any way. Tib. ཐ་མལ་གྱི་ཤེས་པ་

rang stong - The state of being empty of self, which references the lack of inherent existence in relative phenomena. Tib. རང་སྟོང་

gzhan stong - The state of being devoid of that which is wholly different rather than being void of its own nature. The term is generally used to refer to the ultimate, or buddha-nature, being empty of other phenomena such as adventitious defiling emotions but not empty of its true nature. Tib. གཞན་སྟོང་

rang stong - The state of being empty of self, which references the lack of inherent existence in relative phenomena. Tib. རང་སྟོང་

Mahāmudrā - Mahāmudrā refers to an advanced meditation tradition in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna forms of Into-Tibetan Buddhism that is focused on the realization of the empty and luminous nature of the mind. It also refers to the resultant state of buddhahood attained through such meditation practice. In Tibet, this tradition is particularly associated with the Kagyu school, although all other schools also profess this tradition. The term also appears as part of the four seals, alongside dharmamūdra, samayamudrā, and karmamudrā. Skt. महामुद्रा Tib. ཕྱག་རྒྱ་ཆེན་པོ།

āvaraṇa - Literally, that which obscures or conceals. Often listed as a set of two obscurations (sgrib gnyis): the afflictive emotional obscurations (Skt. kleśāvaraṇa, Tib. nyon mongs pa'i sgrib pa) and the cognitive obscurations (Skt. jñeyāvaraṇa, Tib. shes bya'i sgrib pa). By removing the first, one becomes free of suffering, and by removing the second, one becomes omniscient. Skt. आवरण Tib. སྒྲིབ་པ་

prasajyapratiṣedha - A negation that merely denies the existence of something without implicitly suggesting an alternative. Skt. प्रसज्यप्रतिषेध Tib. མེད་དགག་

ātman - Though it can simply be used as the expression "I" or "me", in Indian thought the notion of self refers to a permanent, unchanging entity, such as that which passes from life to life in the case of people, or the innate essence (svabhāva) of phenomena. Skt. आत्मन् Tib. བདག་ Ch. 我,灵魂

pariniṣpannasvabhāva - The third of the three natures, according to the Yogācāra school. It is the perfect nature that represents the most authentic understanding of phenomena, which is classically defined as the complete absence of the imaginary nature within the dependent nature. Skt. परिनिष्पन्नस्वभाव Tib. ཡོངས་སུ་གྲུབ་པའི་རང་བཞིན་

trisvabhāva - According to the Yogācāra school, all phenomena can be divided into three natures or characteristics: the imaginary nature (parikalpitasvabhāva), the dependent nature (paratantrasvabhāva), and the perfect or absolute nature (pariniṣpannasvabhāva). Skt. त्रिस्वभाव Tib. རང་བཞིན་གསུམ་

Yogācāra - Along with Madhyamaka, it was one of the two major philosophical schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Founded by Asaṅga and Vasubandhu around the fourth century CE, many of its central tenets have roots in the Saṃdhinirmocanasūtra and the so-called third turning of the dharma wheel (see tridharmacakrapravartana). Skt. योगाचार Tib. རྣལ་འབྱོར་སྤྱོད་པ་ Ch. 瑜伽行派

Kadam - The Kadam tradition, which traces its origin to the teachings of Atiśa, was the first of the so-called New Schools of Tibetan Buddhism, traditions which arose during or after the Second Propagation of Buddhism (phyi dar) in the tenth century. Tib. བཀའ་གདམས་

gotra - Disposition, lineage, or class; an individual's gotra determines the type of enlightenment one is destined to attain. Skt. गोत्र Tib. རིགས་ Ch. 鍾姓,種性

gotra - Disposition, lineage, or class; an individual's gotra determines the type of enlightenment one is destined to attain. Skt. गोत्र Tib. རིགས་ Ch. 鍾姓,種性

āgantukamala - Mental stains that are not inherent to the nature of the mind but are temporarily present as the residue of past actions or habitual tendencies. It is sometimes iterated as adventitious defilements (Skt. āgantukakleśa, Tib. glo bur gyi nyon mongs), which references the fickle and temporary nature of disturbing emotions that lack an ultimately established basis for existence. Skt. आगन्तुकमल Tib. གློ་བུར་གྱི་དྲི་མ་

An important sūtra source for the Ratnagotravibhāga, particularly for its discussion of the nine examples that illustrate how all sentient beings possess buddha-nature.

svasaṃvedana - An important term for the Yogācāra that refers to a consciousness of consciousness itself, or how one knows that they know something. It was a hotly debated topic that was disputed by followers of the Madhyamaka. In Tibet it would later become a common Dzogchen term, though with the entirely different meaning of one's own innate awareness (rig pa), a crucial concept in the Dzogchen teachings. Skt. स्वसंवेदन Tib. རང་རིག་ Ch. 自證分

Mahāyāna - Mahāyāna, or the Great Vehicle, refers to the system of Buddhist thought and practice which developed around the beginning of Common Era, focusing on the pursuit of the state of full enlightenment of the Buddha through the realization of the wisdom of emptiness and the cultivation of compassion. Skt. महायान Tib. ཐེག་པ་ཆེན་པོ། Ch. 大乘

Vajrayāna - The esoteric Buddhist tradition which developed as a syncretic system involving deity worship, use of mantras, physical energy, and mystical practices. It is also known as the mantra tradition and the tantric school as a result of being based on texts known as tantras. Skt. वज्रयान Tib. རྡོ་རྗེ་ཐེག་པ། Ch. 金剛乘

tha mal gyi shes pa - A Mahāmudrā term for the basic state of consciousness that has not been fabricated or altered in any way. Tib. ཐ་མལ་གྱི་ཤེས་པ་

tha mal gyi shes pa - A Mahāmudrā term for the basic state of consciousness that has not been fabricated or altered in any way. Tib. ཐ་མལ་གྱི་ཤེས་པ་

byams chos sde lnga - This refers to a series of five texts that, according to the Tibetan tradition, Asaṅga received directly from Maitreya in the pure realm of Tuṣita. Tib. བྱམས་ཆོས་སྡེ་ལྔ་

trikāya - The three enlightened forms of a buddha one attains when one becomes fully enlightened. They include the truth body (dharmakāya), enjoyment body (saṃbhogakāya), and the emanation body (nirmāṇakāya). The three bodies comprise the many qualities and powers associated with buddhahood and thus are the result sought through Mahāyāna Buddhist practice. Skt. त्रिकाय Tib. སྐུ་གསུམ། Ch. 三身

dhātu - A fundamental component or essential constituent. Skt. धातु Tib. ཁམས་ Ch. 界

tridharmacakrapravartana - Three successive stages of the Buddhist teachings. Though they are traditionally attributed to the historical Buddha, modern scholarship tends to view them as developmental stages that occurred over the course of an extended period of time, with interludes of several centuries, in which we see major doctrinal shifts often based on seemingly newly emergent scriptural sources. Skt. त्रिधर्मचक्रप्रवर्तन Tib. ཆོས་འཁོར་རིམ་པ་གསུམ་

Uttaratantra - The Ultimate Continuum, or Gyü Lama, is often used as a short title in the Tibetan tradition for the key source text of buddha-nature teachings called the Ratnagotravibhāga of Maitreya/Asaṅga, also known as the Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra. Skt. उत्तरतन्त्र Tib. རྒྱུད་བླ་མ་ Ch. 寶性論

anātman - The nonexistence of the self as a permanent, unchanging entity. Skt. अनात्मन् Tib. བདག་མེད་པ་ Ch. 无我

bīja - A seed, commonly used figuratively in the sense of something which has the potential to develop or grow, and likewise as the basic cause for this development or growth. Skt. बीज Tib. ས་བོན་ Ch. 無漏種

prasajyapratiṣedha - A negation that merely denies the existence of something without implicitly suggesting an alternative. Skt. प्रसज्यप्रतिषेध Tib. མེད་དགག་

svabhāva - The nature or essence of a thing, which originates only from itself and is not dependent on any external entities, causes, or conditions. Skt. स्वभाव Tib. རང་བཞིན་ Ch. 自性

Uttaratantra - The Ultimate Continuum, or Gyü Lama, is often used as a short title in the Tibetan tradition for the key source text of buddha-nature teachings called the Ratnagotravibhāga of Maitreya/Asaṅga, also known as the Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra. Skt. उत्तरतन्त्र Tib. རྒྱུད་བླ་མ་ Ch. 寶性論

prabhāsvaratā - In a general sense, that which clears away darkness, though it often appears in Buddhist literature in reference to the mind or its nature. It is a particularly salient feature of Tantric literature, especially in regard to the advanced meditation techniques of the completion-stage yogas. Skt. प्रभास्वर Tib. འོད་གསལ་ Ch. 光明

Nyingma - The Nyingma, which is often described as the oldest tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, traces its origin to Padmasambhava, who is said to have visited Tibet in the eighth century. Tib. རྙིང་མ་

Madhyamaka - Along with Yogācāra, it is one of the two major philosophical schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Founded by Nāgārjuna around the second century CE, it is rooted in the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras, though its initial exposition was presented in Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. Skt. मध्यमक Tib. དབུ་མ་ Ch. 中觀見

Tsen Tradition - Tsen Khawoche's "meditative tradition" of exegesis of the Uttaratantra; it is one of two major Tibetan traditions of exegesis, both stemming from students of Sajjana. Tib. བཙན་ལུགས་

Cittamātra - Though it is sometimes used synonymously with Yogācāra, it is in fact one of the more prominent philosophical theories associated with this school. It asserts that the objects in the external world with which we interact are actually mentally created representations appearing as those objects. The character of these perceptions is predetermined by our own karmic conditioning that is stored in the ālayavijñāna. Skt. चित्तमात्र Tib. སེམས་ཙམ་

Uttaratantra - The Ultimate Continuum, or Gyü Lama, is often used as a short title in the Tibetan tradition for the key source text of buddha-nature teachings called the Ratnagotravibhāga of Maitreya/Asaṅga, also known as the Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra. Skt. उत्तरतन्त्र Tib. རྒྱུད་བླ་མ་ Ch. 寶性論

Geluk - The Geluk tradition traces its origin to Tsongkhapa, who propagated a modified version of the Kadampa lojong and lamrim teachings. It is the dominant tradition of Tibet, having established its control of the government under the figure of the Dalai Lama. Tib. དགེ་ལུགས་

sūtra - Sūtras mainly refer to the discourses delivered by the Buddha and his disciples, and the Sūtra corpus is one of the three main sets of teachings which form the Buddhist canon. Skt. सूत्र Tib. མདོ། Ch. 佛经

tantra - Tantra, when juxtaposed with Sūtra, generally refers to the scriptures and texts which discuss esoteric topics. While the term is used to refer to texts on other topics, it is mostly used to refer to the genre of scriptures and texts on themes and topics associated with Vajrayāna Buddhism. Skt. तन्त्र Tib. རྒྱུད། Ch. 密宗

sems nyid - Commonly found in Dzogchen and Mahāmudrā literature, this term denotes the true, natural state of mind as it is. Often used in these traditions as a synonym for buddha-nature. Skt. चित्तत्व Tib. སེམས་ཉིད་

Tsen Tradition - Tsen Khawoche's "meditative tradition" of exegesis of the Uttaratantra; it is one of two major Tibetan traditions of exegesis, both stemming from students of Sajjana. Tib. བཙན་ལུགས་

paryudāsapratiṣedha - A negation that denies one thing in such a way that it clearly implies another. Skt. पर्युदासप्रतिषेध Tib. མ་ཡིན་དགག་

ālayavijñāna - A neutral base consciousness that is posited as the storehouse for the seeds of past karmic actions in which they remain in a latent state until the circumstances arise for them to ripen as karmic consequences. Skt. आलयविज्ञान Tib. ཀུན་གཞིའི་རྣམ་ཤེས་ Ch. 藏識,阿賴耶識

śūnyatā - The state of being empty of an innate nature due to a lack of independently existing characteristics. Skt. शून्यता Tib. སྟོང་པ་ཉིད་ Ch. 空,空門

paratantrasvabhāva - The second of the three natures, according to the Yogācāra school. It is the dependent nature that is used to describe the relationship between mind and its objects, though there is a clear emphasis on the latter. Hence, this nature is concerned with the nature of seemingly external objects that arise in dependence upon causes and conditions. Skt. परतन्त्रस्वभाव Tib. གཞན་དབང་གི་རང་བཞིན་

svasaṃvedana - An important term for the Yogācāra that refers to a consciousness of consciousness itself, or how one knows that they know something. It was a hotly debated topic that was disputed by followers of the Madhyamaka. In Tibet it would later become a common Dzogchen term, though with the entirely different meaning of one's own innate awareness (rig pa), a crucial concept in the Dzogchen teachings. Skt. स्वसंवेदन Tib. རང་རིག་ Ch. 自證分

Dzogchen - Dzogchen is an advanced system of meditation techniques to reveal the innate state of perfection primarily, but not exclusively, espoused by the Nyingma Buddhist tradition and the Tibetan Bön tradition. Skt. महासन्धि Tib. རྫོགས་ཆེན།

rang stong - The state of being empty of self, which references the lack of inherent existence in relative phenomena. Tib. རང་སྟོང་

gzhan stong - The state of being devoid of that which is wholly different rather than being void of its own nature. The term is generally used to refer to the ultimate, or buddha-nature, being empty of other phenomena such as adventitious defiling emotions but not empty of its true nature. Tib. གཞན་སྟོང་

sarvākāravaropetāśūnyatā - As opposed to a mere voidness, this phrase refers to an emptiness that is endowed with enlightened qualities and attributes. Tib. རྣམ་ཀུན་མཆོག་ལྡན་གྱི་སྟོང་པ་ཉིད་

These are the root verses of the Uttaratantra attributed to Maitreya by the Tibetan tradition.

These are the root verses of the Uttaratantra attributed to Maitreya by the Tibetan tradition.

gotra - Disposition, lineage, or class; an individual's gotra determines the type of enlightenment one is destined to attain. Skt. गोत्र Tib. རིགས་ Ch. 鍾姓,種性

Bodhisattva - A person who seeks enlightenment for the sake of others. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is a compassionate being who is training on the path to Buddhahood and aspires to eliminate the suffering of all beings and take all sentient beings to the state of enlightenment. The Mahāyāna sūtras including those on buddha-nature generally have Bodhisattvas as the main audience or interlocutors for the Buddha's discourses. Skt. बोधिसत्त्व Tib. བྱང་ཆུབ་སེམས་དཔའ། Ch. 菩薩

Nyingma - The Nyingma, which is often described as the oldest tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, traces its origin to Padmasambhava, who is said to have visited Tibet in the eighth century. Tib. རྙིང་མ་

paramārthasatya - "Ultimate truth" or "absolute truth"; the reality of things as they truly are. Skt. परमार्थसत्य Tib. དོན་དམ་བདེན་པ་ Ch. 第一義諦,眞諦

sugatagarbha - Literally, the "essence" or "heart of the Bliss Gone One(s)," a synonym for tathāgatagarbha that is likewise often rendered into English by the term buddha-nature. Though it is often back translated into Sanskrit as sugatagarbha, this term is not found in Sanskrit sources. Skt. सुगतगर्भ Tib. བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོ་

sugatagarbha - Literally, the "essence" or "heart of the Bliss Gone One(s)," a synonym for tathāgatagarbha that is likewise often rendered into English by the term buddha-nature. Though it is often back translated into Sanskrit as sugatagarbha, this term is not found in Sanskrit sources. Skt. सुगतगर्भ Tib. བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོ་

gzhi - The foundational basis of both saṃsāra and nirvāṇa. It is often used as a synonym for tathāgatagarbha and dharmadhātu. Tib. གཞི་

paramārthasatya - "Ultimate truth" or "absolute truth"; the reality of things as they truly are. Skt. परमार्थसत्य Tib. དོན་དམ་བདེན་པ་ Ch. 第一義諦,眞諦

neyārtha - Refers to something that is taught for a specific reason, rather than because it is entirely true. Skt. नेयार्थ Tib. དྲང་དོན་

rang stong - The state of being empty of self, which references the lack of inherent existence in relative phenomena. Tib. རང་སྟོང་

rang stong - The state of being empty of self, which references the lack of inherent existence in relative phenomena. Tib. རང་སྟོང་

gzhan stong - The state of being devoid of that which is wholly different rather than being void of its own nature. The term is generally used to refer to the ultimate, or buddha-nature, being empty of other phenomena such as adventitious defiling emotions but not empty of its true nature. Tib. གཞན་སྟོང་

Cittamātra - Though it is sometimes used synonymously with Yogācāra, it is in fact one of the more prominent philosophical theories associated with this school. It asserts that the objects in the external world with which we interact are actually mentally created representations appearing as those objects. The character of these perceptions is predetermined by our own karmic conditioning that is stored in the ālayavijñāna. Skt. चित्तमात्र Tib. སེམས་ཙམ་

Geluk - The Geluk tradition traces its origin to Tsongkhapa, who propagated a modified version of the Kadampa lojong and lamrim teachings. It is the dominant tradition of Tibet, having established its control of the government under the figure of the Dalai Lama. Tib. དགེ་ལུགས་

avidyā - Literally "unknowing," it refers to a lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of the nature of reality. As such, it is considered to be the root cause of suffering and the basis for the arising of all other negative mental factors. Skt. अविद्या Tib. མ་རིག་པ་ Ch. 無明

Great Madhyamaka - The term Great Madhyamaka is utilized in different contexts depending on the tradition. In the Jonang tradition, it generally refers to the Zhentong Madhyamaka philosophy as it was developed and systematized by Dölpopa. In this context, the Great Madhyamaka refers to the presentation of ultimate truth, while Madhyamaka describes the emptiness of the relative level of truth. In the Nyingma tradition, Great Madhyamaka refers to the subtle, inner Madhyamaka that unifies the philosophical positions of Nāgārjuna and Asaṅga. This is presented in opposition to the coarse, outer Madhyamaka that is the dialectic approach of Prāsaṅgika and Svātantrika. In the Kagyu tradition, the term is used in a similar vein in that Madhyamaka is used to refer to philosophical inquiry, while Great Madhyamaka is used to refer to the view arrived at through yogic accomplishment. However, in all of these traditions, Great Madhyamaka is heavily associated with buddha-nature (tathāgatagarbha) and the definitive status of these teachings. Skt. महामध्यमक Tib. དབུ་མ་ཆེན་པོ་

gzhan stong - The state of being devoid of that which is wholly different rather than being void of its own nature. The term is generally used to refer to the ultimate, or buddha-nature, being empty of other phenomena such as adventitious defiling emotions but not empty of its true nature. Tib. གཞན་སྟོང་

ātman - Though it can simply be used as the expression "I" or "me", in Indian thought the notion of self refers to a permanent, unchanging entity, such as that which passes from life to life in the case of people, or the innate essence (svabhāva) of phenomena. Skt. आत्मन् Tib. བདག་ Ch. 我,灵魂

prabhāsvaratā - In a general sense, that which clears away darkness, though it often appears in Buddhist literature in reference to the mind or its nature. It is a particularly salient feature of Tantric literature, especially in regard to the advanced meditation techniques of the completion-stage yogas. Skt. प्रभास्वर Tib. འོད་གསལ་ Ch. 光明

prabhāsvaracitta - The luminous aspect of mind that is often contrasted with its empty aspect. It is often used figuratively to reference the cognizant, or knowing, aspect of mind and sometimes more literally as the natural luminosity of mind and luminous wisdom that is experienced in meditation. Skt. प्रभास्वरचित्त Tib. འོད་གསལ་གྱི་སེམས་ Ch. 光明心

guṇapāramitā - In the Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra it is explained that the dharmakāya of a buddha possesses the four perfect qualities of purity, bliss, permanence, and self. Skt. गुणपारमिता Tib. ཡོན་ཏན་ཕ་རོལ་ཏུ་ཕྱིན་པ་ Ch. 功德波羅蜜

rgyu'i rgyud - The mind's natural mode that abides as suchness, which remains unchanged from the state of an ordinary being up until enlightenment. Tib. རྒྱུའི་རྒྱུད་

tridharmacakrapravartana - Three successive stages of the Buddhist teachings. Though they are traditionally attributed to the historical Buddha, modern scholarship tends to view them as developmental stages that occurred over the course of an extended period of time, with interludes of several centuries, in which we see major doctrinal shifts often based on seemingly newly emergent scriptural sources. Skt. त्रिधर्मचक्रप्रवर्तन Tib. ཆོས་འཁོར་རིམ་པ་གསུམ་

gzhan stong - The state of being devoid of that which is wholly different rather than being void of its own nature. The term is generally used to refer to the ultimate, or buddha-nature, being empty of other phenomena such as adventitious defiling emotions but not empty of its true nature. Tib. གཞན་སྟོང་

niṣprapañca - Freedom from conceptual elaborations. Skt. निष्प्रपञ्च Tib. སྤྲོས་བྲལ་

Prajñāpāramitā - A class of Mahāyāna sūtras which represents some of the earliest known literature of this genre of Buddhism. There are around forty texts associated with this category, though the most widespread is the exceedingly brief Prajñāpāramitāhṛdayasūtra, popularly known as the Heart Sūtra. This class of literature is typically associated with the second turning of the dharma wheel and especially with the teachings on emptiness (śūnyatā). As such, these texts were the primary scriptural source for the philosophy of the Madhyamaka school. Skt. प्रज्ञापारमिता Tib. ཤེར་ཕྱིན་,ཤེས་རབ་ཀྱི་ཕ་རོལ་ཏུ་ཕྱིན་པ་ Ch. 般若波羅蜜多

These are the root verses of the Uttaratantra attributed to Maitreya by the Tibetan tradition.

RGV - Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra

bodhi - Enlightenment or awakening. In Tibetan it is translated as "purified" (byang) and "perfected" (chub), which corresponds to Siddhartha Gautama's achievement of purifying all obscurations and perfecting or attaining all qualities associated with a buddha. Skt. बोधि Tib. བྱང་ཆུབ་ Ch. 菩提,悟,覺

buddhadhātu - A synonym for tathāgatagarbha widely used throughout the East Asian Buddhist traditions, as found in its translations as the Chinese term fó xìng and Japanese term busshō. Skt. बुद्धधातु Tib. སངས་རྒྱས་ཀྱི་ཁམས་ Ch. 佛性

One of the sūtra sources for the Ratnagotravibhāga, which is only extant in its Chinese translation.

"This sūtra became an important scriptural source for the discussion of buddha-nature in China and is famous for associating the term buddhadhātu with tathāgatagarbha.

One of the tathāgatagarbha sūtras.

Descent into Laṅka Sūtra, a very influential text in East Asia and Nepal.

ekayāna - The notion that ultimately there is only one vehicle, or means, of achieving enlightenment. Skt. एकयान Tib. ཐེག་པ་གཅིག་པ་ Ch. 一乘

dharmadhātu - The fundamental expanse from which all phenomena emerge. Skt. धर्मधातु Tib. ཆོས་དབྱིངས་ Ch. 法界

prakṛtisthagotra - The potential for awakening that is inherently present in all beings. Skt. प्रकृतिस्थगोत्र Tib. རང་བཞིན་གནས་རིགས་ Ch. 本性住種性

paratantrasvabhāva - The second of the three natures, according to the Yogācāra school. It is the dependent nature that is used to describe the relationship between mind and its objects, though there is a clear emphasis on the latter. Hence, this nature is concerned with the nature of seemingly external objects that arise in dependence upon causes and conditions. Skt. परतन्त्रस्वभाव Tib. གཞན་དབང་གི་རང་བཞིན་

parikalpitasvabhāva - The first of the three natures, according to the Yogācāra school. It is the imaginary nature which is falsely projected onto an object out of confusion. Skt. परिकल्पितस्वभाव Tib. ཀུན་བཏགས་ཀྱི་རང་བཞིན་

paramārthasatya - "Ultimate truth" or "absolute truth"; the reality of things as they truly are. Skt. परमार्थसत्य Tib. དོན་དམ་བདེན་པ་ Ch. 第一義諦,眞諦

saṃvṛtisatya - "Relative truth" or "conventional truth"; the erroneously perceived reality common to the unenlightened. Skt. संवृतिसत्य Tib. ཀུན་རྫོབ་བདེན་པ་ Ch. 世俗諦,俗諦

dhātu - A fundamental component or essential constituent. Skt. धातु Tib. ཁམས་ Ch. 界

Madhyamaka - Along with Yogācāra, it is one of the two major philosophical schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Founded by Nāgārjuna around the second century CE, it is rooted in the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras, though its initial exposition was presented in Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. Skt. मध्यमक Tib. དབུ་མ་ Ch. 中觀見

saṃvṛtisatya - "Relative truth" or "conventional truth"; the erroneously perceived reality common to the unenlightened. Skt. संवृतिसत्य Tib. ཀུན་རྫོབ་བདེན་པ་ Ch. 世俗諦,俗諦

triyāna - Commonly seen in a Mahāyāna context, the three vehicles are the Śrāvakayāna, Pratyekabuddhayāna, and Bodhisattvayāna, which reference the three different types of Buddhist practitioners. However, these three vehicles can also reference the three types of Buddhist teachings of the Hīnayāna, Mahāyāna (or Pāramitāyāna), and the Vajrayāna. Skt. त्रियान Tib. ཐེག་པ་གསུམ་ Ch. 三乗

triyāna - Commonly seen in a Mahāyāna context, the three vehicles are the Śrāvakayāna, Pratyekabuddhayāna, and Bodhisattvayāna, which reference the three different types of Buddhist practitioners. However, these three vehicles can also reference the three types of Buddhist teachings of the Hīnayāna, Mahāyāna (or Pāramitāyāna), and the Vajrayāna. Skt. त्रियान Tib. ཐེག་པ་གསུམ་ Ch. 三乗

ekayāna - The notion that ultimately there is only one vehicle, or means, of achieving enlightenment. Skt. एकयान Tib. ཐེག་པ་གཅིག་པ་ Ch. 一乘

dharmakāya - "Truth body" or "true being" — One of the three bodies of a buddha. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, it often refers to a kind of fundamental principle or the true nature of reality itself. Skt. धर्मकाय Tib. ཆོས་སྐུ་ Ch. 法身

MN - Majjhimanikāya

advaya - Literally, "without duality," it refers to that which is indivisible, in that it is not divided into two. Skt. अद्वय Tib. གཉིས་མེད་ Ch. 不二

kleśa - Often referred to as poisons, these are a class of disturbing or disruptive emotional states that when aroused negatively affect or taint the mind. Skt. क्लेश Tib. ཉོན་མོངས་ Ch. 煩惱

pramāṇa - In the Buddhist literature on pramāṇa, it refers to cognition that correctly apprehends its object without any deception or mistake. Such correct cognition include direct perception and inferential cognition. Skt. प्रमान Tib. ཚད་མ། Ch. 量

Sakya - The Sakya tradition developed in the eleventh century in the Khön family of Tsang, which maintained an imperial-era lineage of Vajrakīla and which adopted a new teaching from India known as Lamdre. Tib. ས་སྐྱ་

prasajyapratiṣedha - A negation that merely denies the existence of something without implicitly suggesting an alternative. Skt. प्रसज्यप्रतिषेध Tib. མེད་དགག་

Ngok Tradition - Ngok Lotsāwa Loden Sherab's "analytic tradition" of exegesis of the Uttaratantra; one of two major Tibetan traditions of exegesis, both stemming from students of Sajjana. Tib. རྔོག་ལུགས་

dharmatā - The true nature of phenomenal existence. Skt. धर्मता Tib. ཆོས་ཉིད་ Ch. 法性

kun gzhi - Although it is commonly used as an abbreviation of ālayavijñāna (kun gzhi'i rnam shes), in later Tibetan traditions, particularly that of the Kagyu and the Nyingma, it came to denote an ultimate or pure basis of mind, as opposed to the ordinary, deluded consciousness represented by the ālayavijñāna. Alternatively, in the Jonang tradition, this pure version is referred to as ālaya-wisdom (kun gzhi'i ye shes). Skt. आलय Tib. ཀུན་གཞི་

Mahāyoga - This is first one of the inner tantric schools according to the Nyingma tradition. Mahāyoga includes two sub-sections of the tantras which includes eighteen tantras and the sādhanās that includes the eight sādhanā practices. Mahāyoga focuses on the Development Stage and espouses the view of equality and purity in which equality refers to equal nature of phenomena in being empty and purity refers to all appearances being inherently enlightened energies. The Mahāyoga path leads to four stages of vidyadharas. Skt. महायोग Tib. མཧཱ་ཡོ་ག,རྣལ་འབྱོར་ཆེན་པོ།

Anuyoga - The second set of the three inner tantras and the eighth of the nine vehicles according to the Nyingma tradition. Anuyoga includes many yogini tantras and focuses on the Completion Stage practices of sacred channels, energies and essential fluids and espouses the actualisation of empty bliss. Skt. अनुयोग Tib. ཨ་ནུ་ཡོ་ག

ka dag - Primordial purity is a term found in the Dzogchen tradition and refers to the empty nature of phenomena which is experienced through the practice of cutting-through meditation (khregs chod). It is often juxtaposed with spontaneous presence (lhun grub). Tib. ཀ་དག

Atiyoga - A system of esoteric thought and practice associated with the Nyingma tradition and equivalent to Great Perfection, it is considered as the pinnacle of the nine vehicles or paths one can follow to reach Buddhahood. The system focusses on the pure, luminous and empty nature of the mind as the ground reality which must be realised through the path of trekchö and thögal practice. Skt. अतियोग Tib. ཨ་ཏི་ཡོ་ག,ཤིན་ཏུ་རྣལ་འབྱོར།

advaya - Literally, "without duality," it refers to that which is indivisible, in that it is not divided into two. Skt. अद्वय Tib. གཉིས་མེད་ Ch. 不二

Prajñāpāramitā - A class of Mahāyāna sūtras which represents some of the earliest known literature of this genre of Buddhism. There are around forty texts associated with this category, though the most widespread is the exceedingly brief Prajñāpāramitāhṛdayasūtra, popularly known as the Heart Sūtra. This class of literature is typically associated with the second turning of the dharma wheel and especially with the teachings on emptiness (śūnyatā). As such, these texts were the primary scriptural source for the philosophy of the Madhyamaka school. Skt. प्रज्ञापारमिता Tib. ཤེར་ཕྱིན་,ཤེས་རབ་ཀྱི་ཕ་རོལ་ཏུ་ཕྱིན་པ་ Ch. 般若波羅蜜多

byams chos sde lnga - This refers to a series of five texts that, according to the Tibetan tradition, Asaṅga received directly from Maitreya in the pure realm of Tuṣita. Tib. བྱམས་ཆོས་སྡེ་ལྔ་

The Awakening of Faith is a key source text for buddha-nature theory in East Asian Buddhism.

niḥsvabhāva - Lacking inherent existence. Skt. निःस्वभाव Tib. ངོ་བོ་ཉིད་མེད་པ་

samudānītagotra - A potential or disposition that is acquired, accentuated, or developed through past karmic actions. Skt. समुदानीतगोत्र Tib. རྒྱས་འགྱུར་གྱི་རིགས་ Ch. 習所成種性

paramārthasatya - "Ultimate truth" or "absolute truth"; the reality of things as they truly are. Skt. परमार्थसत्य Tib. དོན་དམ་བདེན་པ་ Ch. 第一義諦,眞諦

tathatā - Suchness itself, absolute reality, or thusness, as in the ultimate state of being of phenomena. Skt. तथता Tib. དེ་བཞིན་ཉིད་

trisvabhāva - According to the Yogācāra school, all phenomena can be divided into three natures or characteristics: the imaginary nature (parikalpitasvabhāva), the dependent nature (paratantrasvabhāva), and the perfect or absolute nature (pariniṣpannasvabhāva). Skt. त्रिस्वभाव Tib. རང་བཞིན་གསུམ་

guṇa - The qualities or attributes of an enlightened being. Skt. गुण Tib. ཡོན་ཏན་ Ch. 功德

ātman - Though it can simply be used as the expression "I" or "me", in Indian thought the notion of self refers to a permanent, unchanging entity, such as that which passes from life to life in the case of people, or the innate essence (svabhāva) of phenomena. Skt. आत्मन् Tib. བདག་ Ch. 我,灵魂

sugatagarbha - Literally, the "essence" or "heart of the Bliss Gone One(s)," a synonym for tathāgatagarbha that is likewise often rendered into English by the term buddha-nature. Though it is often back translated into Sanskrit as sugatagarbha, this term is not found in Sanskrit sources. Skt. सुगतगर्भ Tib. བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོ་

pratītyasamutpāda - The notion that all phenomena arise in dependence on causes and conditions. Skt. प्रतीत्यसमुत्पाद Tib. རྟེན་ཅིང་འབྲེལ་བར་འབྱུང་བ་,རྟེན་འབྲེལ་ Ch. 緣起

prabhāsvaracitta - The luminous aspect of mind that is often contrasted with its empty aspect. It is often used figuratively to reference the cognizant, or knowing, aspect of mind and sometimes more literally as the natural luminosity of mind and luminous wisdom that is experienced in meditation. Skt. प्रभास्वरचित्त Tib. འོད་གསལ་གྱི་སེམས་ Ch. 光明心

prabhāsvaratā - In a general sense, that which clears away darkness, though it often appears in Buddhist literature in reference to the mind or its nature. It is a particularly salient feature of Tantric literature, especially in regard to the advanced meditation techniques of the completion-stage yogas. Skt. प्रभास्वर Tib. འོད་གསལ་ Ch. 光明

pratītyasamutpāda - The notion that all phenomena arise in dependence on causes and conditions. Skt. प्रतीत्यसमुत्पाद Tib. རྟེན་ཅིང་འབྲེལ་བར་འབྱུང་བ་,རྟེན་འབྲེལ་ Ch. 緣起

tathāgatagarbha - Buddha-nature, literally the "womb/essence of those who have gone (to suchness)." Skt. तथागतगर्भ Tib. དེ་བཞིན་གཤེགས་པའི་སྙིང་པོ་ Ch. 如来藏

bodhicitta - The altruistic thought to seek enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. It is said to have two aspects: compassion aimed at sentient beings and their problems and the wisdom of enlightenment as the solution. Skt. बोधिचित्त Tib. བྱང་ཆུབ་སེམས། Ch. 菩提心

Kālacakra - Can refer to either the Kālacakra Tantra and its derivative texts or to the systematic tantric tradition based on these texts, as well as the deity Kālacakra upon which the associated practices are centered. Skt. कालचक्र Tib. དུས་ཀྱི་འཁོར་ལོ། Ch. 時輪

gotra - Disposition, lineage, or class; an individual's gotra determines the type of enlightenment one is destined to attain. Skt. गोत्र Tib. རིགས་ Ch. 鍾姓,種性

dharmadhātu - The fundamental expanse from which all phenomena emerge. Skt. धर्मधातु Tib. ཆོས་དབྱིངས་ Ch. 法界

śrāvaka - The disciples of the Buddha who aspire to attain individual liberation or nirvāṇa. The final goal of the Hearers is to become an arhat, a state in which one has totally eliminated the inner problems of attachment, hatred and ignorance, the main causes for rebirth in this cycle of existence. There are four stages of a śrāvaka path including eight phases. Skt. श्रावक Tib. ཉན་ཐོས། Ch. 聲聞

tathāgatagarbha - Buddha-nature, literally the "womb/essence of those who have gone (to suchness)." Skt. तथागतगर्भ Tib. དེ་བཞིན་གཤེགས་པའི་སྙིང་པོ་ Ch. 如来藏

sugatagarbha - Literally, the "essence" or "heart of the Bliss Gone One(s)," a synonym for tathāgatagarbha that is likewise often rendered into English by the term buddha-nature. Though it is often back translated into Sanskrit as sugatagarbha, this term is not found in Sanskrit sources. Skt. सुगतगर्भ Tib. བདེ་གཤེགས་སྙིང་པོ་

original enlightenment - According to East Asian Buddhism, the intrinsic enlightenment of all sentient beings. This is obscured by the many stains present in the ālayavijñāna. When these are purified, the natural state of enlightenment is recovered, a status known as "actualized enlightenment." Ch. 本覺

Bodhisattva - A person who seeks enlightenment for the sake of others. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is a compassionate being who is training on the path to Buddhahood and aspires to eliminate the suffering of all beings and take all sentient beings to the state of enlightenment. The Mahāyāna sūtras including those on buddha-nature generally have Bodhisattvas as the main audience or interlocutors for the Buddha's discourses. Skt. बोधिसत्त्व Tib. བྱང་ཆུབ་སེམས་དཔའ། Ch. 菩薩

The Awakening of Faith is a key source text for buddha-nature theory in East Asian Buddhism.

Yogācāra - Along with Madhyamaka, it was one of the two major philosophical schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Founded by Asaṅga and Vasubandhu around the fourth century CE, many of its central tenets have roots in the Saṃdhinirmocanasūtra and the so-called third turning of the dharma wheel (see tridharmacakrapravartana). Skt. योगाचार Tib. རྣལ་འབྱོར་སྤྱོད་པ་ Ch. 瑜伽行派

tathatā - Suchness itself, absolute reality, or thusness, as in the ultimate state of being of phenomena. Skt. तथता Tib. དེ་བཞིན་ཉིད་

Kagyu - The Kagyu school traces its origin to the eleventh-century translator Marpa, who studied in India with Nāropa. Marpa's student Milarepa trained Gampopa, who founded the first monastery of the Kagyu order. As many as twelve subtraditions grew out from there, the best known being the Karma Kagyu, the Drikung, and the Drukpa. Tib. བཀའ་བརྒྱུད་

pratītyasamutpāda - The notion that all phenomena arise in dependence on causes and conditions. Skt. प्रतीत्यसमुत्पाद Tib. རྟེན་ཅིང་འབྲེལ་བར་འབྱུང་བ་,རྟེན་འབྲེལ་ Ch. 緣起

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