心性論=theory of the nature of the mind; 佛性=the Buddha nature; 具種性者=one who possesses a gotra; 不黑不白無異熟業能盡諸業=non-resultant activity which is neither positive nor negative and is able to bring all karma to an end; 性覺=by nature knowing; 性寂=by nature calm
Based mainly on the Āgamas and related treatises, the present paper establishes the Buddhist theory of the nature of the mind. It is pointed out that “to possess a gotra” is one important step in the process of mental purification and that the main point for the transcendence of good and evil in Buddhism lies in “non-resultant activity which is neither positive nor negative and is able to bring all karma to an end”. This constitutes also one of the major special features of the Buddhist theory of the nature of the mind. Three theories of the Buddha nature which are not in conflict with dependent origination are brought foreword. They take the idea of the two truths into consideration and complete the purification of the nature of the mind by way of dependent origination, a process in motion. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspect of purification of the nature of the mind. Thus a holistic theory of the nature of the mind is established. It is further demonstrated that the Buddhist theories of the Buddha nature are based on the two truths, absolute and relative. On one hand they are established on the relative cognitive function of the mind, on the other hand on the absolute egolessness of the mind. The main point of the former is “by nature knowing,” while the stress of the latter is placed on “by nature calm.”
