Buddhist Theory of Human Nature

As of Mahayana Buddhist theory of human nature, man is born with the Buddha - nature. It is actually not Buddhahood or enlightenment itself. It is just the potentiality to attain enlightenment. Historically speaking, before Buddhism came to China, the Chinese were interested in the theory of human nature especially the Confuchianist scholars i.e. Meng-tse and Sun-tse. In Chinese philosophy, they have talked since long about what human nature is. Meng-tse said that man is born with a seed of goodness. This can be seen in an abrupt reaction for example when we see a small kid falling into a well; we are alert and run quickly to save him. A seed of goodness does not mean virtue in itself. It only means the potentiality that can be developed into the full goodness. Meng-tse also pointed out that the environment plays quite an important role for man. It depends upon the later development of that good seed to become a tree of virtue. A baby, who is raised up in a good social environment, will become a good man. A baby, who possesses the same seed of goodness but falls into a bad situation, may end up evil. nurture

Though people were more interested in metaphysical world in India, human nature was mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures. The Buddha once told his disciples that human mind is originally bright or brilliant known as Prapassarachitta theory or simple mind theory. (Chitta means mind and Prapassara means bright or brilliant) The Buddha said man is born with this brilliant mind as our original nature. The defilement (greed, anger and delusion) is just like an unwelcome guest that comes and goes with no allowance from the host. Through this Prapassarachitta theory, Buddhism had encountered the Chinese philosophy in China and resulted in the new theory of Buddha - nature. It is said that man is born with the Buddha - nature. Buddha in this case means to know, hence, Buddha -nature is a seed of knowing. According to the Buddha-nature theory, man is born with a seed of knowing. Man needs to develop his seed of knowing. Otherwise, it is still there, which does not mean so much in life. Through Buddhist practice, this seed of knowing can become knowledge itself. The knowing is not something from outside. When man develops this seed of human nature, it can grow bigger and stronger until it reaches enlightenment. Enlightenment is truly something from inside.

As for Theravada Buddhism, man is born with ignorance or Avijja. It is thus necessary for man to practice until he can lessen the level of Avijja and obtain wisdom to become enlightened. It seems to be quite a different approach from Mahayana theory. Yet, the difference is a pseudo one. When talk about ignorance, it simply means to start with the not knowing i.e. Buddha wisdom is not known yet. However, at the same time, the natural level of awareness is still there and it gives man a chance to develop so that ignorance can be reduced and enlightenment is reached. If nature does not provide any tool, man will be completely ignorant without any chance. The tool is actually a natural level of awareness known as Sati to fight against ignorance. Sati makes man survive as an ordinary human being. Without Sati, man turns mad.

To sum up, Dr. Tavivat Puntarigvivat pointed out that the Buddha - nature of Mahayana Buddhism is one and the same as the natural level of awareness (Sati) of Theravada Buddhism. Literally, they present something quite different: 1) one is born with ignorance and 2)one is born with Buddha – nature or enlightening element. Yet, there is something in common because when one is born with ignorance, nature still provides a person the natural level of awareness that he or she can develop to smash ignorance. The Buddha –nature is not the mere metaphysical concept. Empirically, it is just the level of awareness that man possesses. When man touches himself, he feels it. He is thus aware. This is the Buddha –nature with a seed of knowledge. When the full potentiality of awareness is realized, enlightenment is attained.

( http://www.orientalia.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=55 )