the inherent potentiality of all beings to become Buddha; the eternal indefinable oneness of all things.

Skt. Tathagatagarba] All beings have the Buddha nature. It is the base for Enlightenment. As long as a being is not enlightened, the Buddha nature is covered by veils. Such a being is called a "sentient being". When these veils are purified and the pure essence of Buddha nature is experienced, enlightenment is attained. Like milk already has the potential to become butter, every being has the potential to attain enlightenment. Buddha nature is identical with The Kayas.

(Tib de gsegs sning po) Skt tathagatagarbha. The potential of Buddhahood present in every being.

The clear light nature of mind possessed by all sentient beings; the potential for all sentient beings to become enlightened by removing the two obscurations: to liberation and omniscience. See also obscurations.

Buddha gotra (Skt); sang rgyas kyi khams/ rigs (Tib). This is the potential for achieving Buddha-hood which is present within all sentient beings. It consists of the mind which is vast, pure and unsullied. Beings are held back by their adventitious defilements and obscurations. Once these are removed, the true mind, characterised by both clarity and emptiness, will emerge.