The tathagatagarbha , “matrix” or “embryo” of Buddha, still called “nature of Buddha” or “seed of awakening”, is the germ containing nature essential, universal and immortal present in any sensitive being, causes and potential of illumination. This concept, unknown factor of the original Buddhism said Theravada, provides a theoretical base to the widening of the practice to the laic ones - one of the characteristics of the Mahayana - like with some practical of meditation aiming at the sudden illumination, like the Zen or the Dzogchen. It also could constitute an argument in favor of the Végétarisme.

The concept of tathagatagharba is related to that of Buddha Dhatu (element of Buddha). In will sutras Angulimaliya and Mahaparinirvana , the two terms are employed like synonyms.

Concept mahayana

The concept of tathagatagarbha, which is not accepted by the current hinayana, had at the beginning to fight to impose itself, if one believes of it the energy with which its partisans defend it in some Sutra S. It ended up being universally accepted as a whole mahayana/Vajrayana where it took a very important place. Implying the existence of a transcendent ontological gasoline whose all the beings take part, he points out the Monisme Vedas (Brahman/Atman) which perhaps inspired it. The followers of the theravāda or the Bouddhisme criticizes Japanese consider that the concept of absence of oneself clean does not make it possible to consider the existence of one oneself universal transcendent, and that the déconstruction of the twelve links of the conditioned Coproduction is the only mechanism making it possible to lead to the illumination, without it being necessary to call upon a “seed of awakening”. They reproach the followers of the concept of tathagatagarbha for deviating from orthodoxy, it to what those oppose a certain number of arguments based on their reading of will sutras. The debate is not closed.

Sources

The principal texts exposing these doctrines are will sutras them Mahayana Mahaparinirvana , Tathagatagarbha , Śrīmālā , Anunatva-Apurnatva-Nirdesa , Angulimaliya , Mahābherika , the Traité on the awakening of the faith in Mahayana and the collection Ratna-gotra-vibhaga .

The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra describes the nature of Buddha like the authentic being, inconditionné, unlimited, eternal, the vital force jivaka hidden of each one, that only the waked up beings perceive. Nevertheless, according to this will sutra, certain beings, named icchantikas , will not arrive at the state of Buddha in spite of the presence of the tathagatagarbha in them, because their bad Karma is so important that it can eternally prevent the germ from developing. The others will sutras are more “optimistic” and do not mention this restriction. The Tathagatagarbha Sutra is the only one to represent the embryo in the concrete form of a Homoncule.

Others will sutras later present a syncretism between the concept of tathagatagarbha and the thought Yogacara: will sutras Lankavatara , Ghanda-vyuha , Shurangama and Mahavairocana . The nature of Buddha is the wisdom present there in the middle same of the world which will allow the immediate illumination.

The tathagatagarbha and relics

In addition to the possible influence of the Védisme, the role of the pilgrimages to the Stupa also discussed S.A. Indeed, the terms garbha and dhatu also indicate the relics which they contain and which confer their capacity to them. The notion of the presence of an embryo of Buddha in the body could come owing to the fact that bodies and stupa are often put in parallel.

References

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