Birth and death Quote by Kaiten Nukariya
““THE DIRECT EXPLANATION OF THE REAL ORIGIN[FN#376] 5. The Ekayana Doctrine that Teaches the Ultimate Reality. This doctrine teaches us that all sentient beings have the Real Spirit[FN#377] of Original Enlightenment (within themselves). From time immemorial it is unchanging and pure. It is eternally bright, and clear, and conscious. It is also named the Buddha-nature, or Tathagata-garbha.[FN#378] As it is, however, veiled by illusion from time without beginning, (sentient beings) are not conscious of its existence, and think that the nature within themselves are degenerated. Consequently they are given to bodily pleasures, and producing Karma, suffer from birth and death. The great Enlightened One, having compassion on them, taught that everything in the universe is unreal. He pointed out that the Real Spirit of Mysterious Enlightenment (within them) is pure and exactly the same as that of Buddha. Therefore he says in Avatamsaka-sutra[FN#379]: "There are no sentient beings, the children of Buddha, who are not endowed with wisdom of Tathagata;[FN#380] but they cannot attain to Enlightenment simply because of illusion and attachment. When they are free from illusion, the Universal Intelligence,[FN#381] the Natural Intelligence,[FN#382] the Unimpeded Intelligence,[FN#383] will be disclosed (in their minds)." [FN#376] A. 'The perfect doctrine, in which eternal truth is taught by the Buddha.' [FN#377] The ultimate reality is conceived by the Mahayanist as an entity self-existent, omnipresent, spiritual, impersonal, free from all illusions. It may be regarded as something like the universal and enlightened soul. [FN#378]””
About This Quote
Source Religious Text: Avatamsaka Sutra, Mahayana Buddhism, 7th century CE
The passage teaches that all beings possess an innate, pure Buddha‑nature, obscured by illusion, and that enlightenment arises when this true self is realized.
In simple terms: Everyone has a hidden, pure spirit that is covered by ignorance.
Seek to uncover your inner enlightenment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- meditation
- ethical living
- philosophical study
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you recognize the veil of illusion?
- What practices help reveal inner wisdom?
Illusion may be deeply ingrained, making realization difficult.