luminous mind

The ‘intrinsically luminous mind’ or ‘brightly shining mind’ (Sanskrit, prakṛti-prabhāsvara-citta) is a concept first noted in certain early discourses and later adopted by the Mahāyāna. It refers to the underlying radiant or luminous intrinsic nature of the mind (citta), especially when freed from the enveloping overlay of defilements (kleśa). Identified in Theravādin Abhidharma teachings with the bhavaṇga, the concept was later understood in Mahāyāna as an alternative designation for the inherent Buddha-nature or tathāgata-garbha.