Books/Fundamental Potential for Enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhism/The Nine Examples of Buddha Potential

The Nine Examples of Buddha Potential

Loden, Geshe Acharya Thubten. "The Nine Examples of Buddha Potential: Meaning of the Examples of the Obscured Objects and Their Obscurations." In Fundamental Potential for Enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhism, 118–31. Melbourne: Tushita Publications, 1996.

1. Meaning of the Examples of the Obscured Objects and Their Obscurations

1 Brief explanation
2 Extensive explanation

1.1 Brief Explanation

That existing within the enclosure of the delusions
Is known by these examples

Though the nature of the mind of sentient beings is pure, it nonetheless exists within the enclosure of the delusions. However, these delusions, which are merely adventitious stains, do not permeate the nature of the mind. This can be seen by examining the following nine examples.

Like a Buddha in a decaying lotus, honey amidst bees,
Grain within its husk, gold inside filth,
Treasure in the ground, and sprouts and so on arising from
the seeds (within fruits),
A Buddha's form in tattered cloth, and

Like a king in an ugly woman's womb,
A precious form existing within a clay (mould): similarly,
Obscured by the stains of the adventitious delusions,
This Buddha potential exists in all sentient beings.