Buddha-nature: Sa skya paN+Di ta

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Essentials Names Relationships Classical Deity Buddha-nature Rinchen Terdzö Damngak Dzö

Buddha-Nature

Person description or short Bio
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Philosophical Positions of this Person
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Is Buddha-nature considered definitive or provisional?	Position	It's complicated:
Is Buddha-nature considered definitive or provisional?	Notes	[[Kano, K.]], ''[[Buddha-Nature and Emptiness]]'', p. 309. "As a proponent of the Madhyamaka view of the emptiness of inherent existence privileging the ''Madhyamakāvatāra'', Sapen strongly argues against the tathāgata-essence concept that is central in the ''Uttaratantra''. In his important work, ''[[Distinguishing the Three Vows]]'', Sapen shows that the ''Uttaratantra'' requires interpretation." [[Wangchuk, Tsering]], ''[[The Uttaratantra in the Land of Snows]]'', p. 26. *"In verses 138-42 of ''Distinguishing the Three Vows'', Sapen further argues that the tathāgata-essence teaching in the ''Uttaratantra'' and other works of the tathāgata-essence literary corpus are provisional, because it meets the three criteria that are characteristics of the Buddha's provisional teachings. The three criteria are the point of reference (''dgongs gzhi''), purpose (''dgos pa''), and counter to the fact (''dngos la gnod byed'')." [[Wangchuk, Tsering]], ''[[The Uttaratantra in the Land of Snows]]'', p. 27.
Do all beings have Buddha-nature?	Position
	If "Qualified", explain	There is some discrepancy between Sapen's use of the term tathāgata-essence and buddha-nature and other thinkers that use these terms synonymously. In Sapen's view, sentient beings do not possess the former, but do possess a more general form of the latter. So while the answer is a qualified "no" in terms of the more general debate on this issue and the way others have addressed it and asserted Sapen's position, strictly speaking from Sapen's view the answer could more accurately be a qualified "yes" as he does state all beings have a basic "inherent" buddha-nature, though this does not correspond to an essence that is endowed with enlightened qualities. The tricky issue being the equivalency of these terms tathāgata-essence and buddha-nature and the perception of the Sakya position by later authors.
	Notes	"In verses 59-63 of Sapen's ''Distinguishing the Three Vows'', he argues against the presentation of the existence of a tathāgata-essence or sugata-essence endowed with enlightened qualities in sentient beings. Sapen demonstrates that such a position would be tantamount to holding the view of the Sāṃkhya School, that the "result is present in its cause." [[Wangchuk, Tsering]], ''[[The Uttaratantra in the Land of Snows]]'', p. 27. "It is evident from ''[[Distinguishing the Three Vows]]'' that the tathāgata-essence endowed with enlightened qualities does not exist in sentient beings. But does that mean that Sapen completely rejects the existence of tathāgata-essence in sentient beings?" [[Wangchuk, Tsering]], ''[[The Uttaratantra in the Land of Snows]]'', pp. 27-28. *"In ''Distinguishing the Three Vows'', Sapen argues that tathāgata-essence, sugata-essence, buddha-essence, and buddha-element are synonyms, but, interestingly, he never mentions the associated term "buddha-nature" in this context. However, in his ''Illuminating the Thoughts of the Buddha'' (''thub pa'i dgongs pa rab tu gsal ba''), Sapen explains buddha-nature in this way: "The inherent [buddha-]nature exists in all sentient beings. The developmental [buddha-]nature exists [from the time that] one has developed bodhicitta. [The latter] does not exist in those who have not developed [bodhicitta]....So Sapen obviously has a problem accepting tathāgata-essence teachings as definitive, whereas he has no issue asserting that buddha-nature exists in all beings." [[Wangchuk, Tsering]], ''[[The Uttaratantra in the Land of Snows]]'', p. 28.
Which Wheel Turning does Buddha-Nature belong to?	Position	It's complicated:
Which Wheel Turning does Buddha-Nature belong to?	Notes
Is the Ratnagotravibhāga a Yogācāra or Madhyamaka text?	Position	It's complicated:
Is the Ratnagotravibhāga a Yogācāra or Madhyamaka text?	Notes
Zhentong vs Rangtong	Position	It's complicated:
Zhentong vs Rangtong	Notes	He predates the distinction but is clearly in line with the rangtong perspective.
Promotes how many vehicles?	Position	It's complicated:
Promotes how many vehicles?	Notes
Analytic vs Meditative Tradition	Position	It's complicated:
Analytic vs Meditative Tradition	Notes
What is Buddha-nature?	Position	It's complicated:
What is Buddha-nature?	Notes	"An opinion shared by rNgog and Sapan is that Buddha-nature should be understood in the sense of emptiness. The difference is that rNgog directly equates Buddha-nature with emptiness, whereas Sapan regards the intentional ground (''dgongs gzhi'') of Buddha-nature to be emptiness." [[Kano, K.]], ''[[Buddha-Nature and Emptiness]]'', pp. 309-310.

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