This retreat and Friday series of teachings are based on the third volume of The Library of Wisdom and Compassion series, Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature, which was authored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron.
The exploration delves into various factors influencing the cultivation of a buddha-like state of mind. It scrutinizes the four types of beings whose buddha nature undergoes corruption, and Madhyamaka’s elucidation of this intrinsic essence. Additionally, it contemplates the emptiness inherent in both the defiled and purified minds, probing into the ultimate essence and its absence of inherent existence.
The study further discerns the disparity between the mind ensnared in samsara and the liberated mind in nirvana, unraveling the repercussions of misguided attachments on afflictions and actions. It scrutinizes the interplay between the innate buddha nature and its transformative counterpart, providing a comprehensive portrayal of the latter.
Central to this examination are the states of mental neutrality or virtue, as well as the seven distinct forms of awareness in relation to buddha nature. The discourse ultimately unveils the profound connection between buddha nature and the manifestation of buddha bodies.
