The Clear Light Nature of the Mind
Sonam, Ruth, trans and ed. "The Clear Light Nature of the Mind." In Buddha Nature: Oral Teachings by Geshe Sonam Rinchen, 19–28. New Delhi: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 2003.
The Madhyamika school draws on the Essence of Those Thus Gone Sutra and on Maitreya's Sublime Continuum, according to which the nature of our minds is not affected by the temporary stains which are present, such as the disturbing emotions. The fundamental nature, namely the emptiness of our minds with these stains, is the innately
abiding disposition. Nagarjuna in his Praise of the Sphere of PhenomenaCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content and Maitreya in his Sublime Continuum compare our minds to a cloudy sky, polluted water and alloyed gold. But the clouds are not an intrinsic part of the sky, nor are pollutants intrinsic to the water, and the alloys are not an integral part of the gold. The mind is not affected in its nature by these temporary stains but is clear and cognizant. This is its conventional nature. The Sublime Continuum says
- Like that which is precious, the sky and pure water,
Its nature is always free of disturbing emotions.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
