Buddha Nature is an edited transcript of a ten day seminar given by Thrangu Rinpoche in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1985 to a group of Western students. "Space permeates all things. Within the expanse of space, whole universes are formed, destroyed, and again come into being, yet space itself neither arises nor ceases. Likewise, buddha nature, permeates all sentient beings. Although the beings themselves undergo many different kinds of change, like suffering, happiness, birth, old age, sickness, and finally death, no change occurs in the enlightened essence, itself. Constant change manifests only on the level of what sentient beings experience. Our innate buddha nature remains ever changeless. At present, we are wandering in samsara due to the combination of the ripening of our past karma and our confused reactions, the disturbing emotions, to what we experience. Because we are in a deluded state, mistaking all our experiences, we suffer. There is only one solution. We must look into the truth of reality, and discover precisely the nature of things. Most people lack the courage and self-confidence to do that. Therefore, we must rely on the teachings of the Buddha who explained how we can develop the knowledge that perceives the state of egolessness, the ultimate reality. By relying on his words, we will be able to cut through confusion." Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, a realized teacher of Tibetan Buddhism's Kagyu lineage, has been the abbot of Rumtek monastery in Sikkim and currently directs numerous monasteries and retreat centers. On his frequent world tours he teaches all levels of Buddhist philosophy and practice. He is also the author of Songs of Naropa, King of Samadhi (Rangjung Yeshe Publ.) and Practice of Tranquillity and Insight, and Moonbeams of Mahamudra : The Direct Meditation on Mind (Shambhala Publ.).
