That we all have within us the capacity to be free of suffering: naturally calm (equanimous), compassionate, generous, and tolerant; free of views.
This is an interesting question. The Buddha did not teach that there is a Buddha nature, possibly because of this very question. Later on, in Mahayana Buddhism, the concept of Buddha nature was invented.
Everyone already has Buddha-nature. Many, however, are not aware of their own Buddha-nature yet.Answer No-one can become a Buddha if they know how to become one.
What is the fundamental nature of existence? What is Buddha-nature? What is the teaching that cannot be taught?
According to The Buddha, we all are "buddha-nature." We are not separate selves apart from the rest of the world. Buddha-nature is Emptiness. In effect, this means that all individuals, whether human or not, are empty of separate substrata. Although the forms of different individuals are different, their essence is the same. If so, it follows that Buddha-nature is One in every individual. Ultimately, therefore, there is a deep identity between oneself and all other beings. Since nature is all beings, to live in harmony with nature is, ultimately, to live in harmony with oneself. .
According to The Buddha, we all are "buddha-nature." We are not separate selves apart from the rest of the world. Buddha-nature is Emptiness. In effect, this means that all individuals, whether human or not, are empty of separate substrata. Although the forms of different individuals are different, their essence is the same. If so, it follows that Buddha-nature is One in every individual. Ultimately, therefore, there is a deep identity between oneself and all other beings. Since nature is all beings, to live in harmony with nature is, ultimately, to live in harmony with oneself. .
While I cannot give you a sutra, I can comment on the question. When Buddha says he was a buddha before he started meditating, what he means is his buddha-nature exists here and now. However, before he became enlightened, he had forgotten it. He was not aware of it. The mind created a fog, so that he could not see his buddha-nature. Meditation is the process of clearing the fog, so that you may remember (become conscious of) that which already is.
The cast of Buddha by Nature - 2012 includes: Caty Hartung as herself Tomek Lehnert as himself Lama Ole Nydahl as himself Axel Waltl as himself
Buddha means the Fully Enlightened One. He became the Buddha through the realisation of the intrinsic / true nature of all things in the universe, including existence / mind & body / life.
Buddhists feel that each person has the potential to become a Buddha (enlightened). Being a Buddha is not the equivalent of being a god, simply the realization of your true nature.
A person's "Buddha nature" is the inclination each of us has to follow the Eightfold Path towards enlightenment. In many folks the Buddha nature is buried under many layers of unskillful life choices - lust, greed, anger etc. - and it takes a conscious effort to let it show.
It would have been Abraham if he had recognized what God meant when he said his name is "I am." Otherwise, Buddhism does not have a patriarch. Your buddha nature is exactly the same as everyone else's buddha nature. Only the egoic, unawakened mind finds a construct like patriarchy useful. It has no relevance or meaning whatsoever to the awakened consciousness.
"El Corazon" by Arno Ellias