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The lead fails to answer the question "what is it?" -- Non-initiates might not have the patience to decipher the entire article to find out. --107.15.152.93 (talk) 22:18, 25 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Not how to achieve comprehensive understanding, but enough to finish the sentence: "Buddha-nature is ..." --OP:2606:A000:4C0C:E200:DCE4:1C76:57D1:F610 (talk) 18:11, 26 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]
Wholly agreed. Something along the lines of "...the notion that the potential to become a Buddha is embryonic in, or perhaps the essence of every human being.". Yes, I can think of half a dozen improvements already so it should be too hard to improve on this. --98.149.242.115 (talk) 05:44, 5 March 2017 (UTC)[reply]
I am working on the rest of this article, but for now, I changed the lead to show some of the major meanings of this very multivalent term. Javierfv121223:34, 20 August 2018 (UTC)[reply]
Even in 2022, the central question "What is it?" was not answered adequately for the "non-initiates" (me). So I altered the lede and put in a more non-technical encyclopedic definition with a reference to a Tricycle article that I found on the internet. If there are better, but still encyclopedic definitions, out there please put in. Thanks. Tachyon (talk) 12:28, 17 June 2022 (UTC)[reply]
My revision to the lede was reverted by Joshua. The current version may be satisfactory for an advanced student of Buddhism who is patiently awaiting enlightenment, but it doesn't satisfy then needs of the curious and the lay practitioner who is searching for an accessible explanation of Buddha-nature. The lede does not answer the question "What is it?" in way that is not pedantic and therefore leaves out a large fraction of the Wikipedia readership. Tachyon (talk) 09:54, 27 October 2022 (UTC)[reply]
The WP:LEAD summarizes the article; copying the intro from this page in an inadequate way ("Buddhanature points to the aspects of ordinary people that are in some way already the same as a Buddha." -> " Buddha-nature is a doctrine in MahayanaBuddhism that ordinary people are in some way inherently the same as a Buddha.") to the lead is not a summary of the Wiki-article, nor is that page WP:RS in that regard; it doesn't even mention the author.
For a comparison, Robert A.F Thurman, in Lindsay Jones Encyclopedia of Religion, entry TATHA¯ GATA-GARBHA (p.9017), gives an introduction of a full column before giving some sort of a definition: "... each has an essence of Buddhahood, that is, a Buddha essence within him or her that is one’s very selflessness or “natural ultimate freedom” (prakrtiparinirvana)." That comes close to "Buddhanature points to the aspects of ordinary people that are in some way already the same as a Buddha." Nevertheless, it's still one definition, without a context, not included in the article.
The lead already gives several usages or meanings of 'Buddha-nature' from the Buddhist tradition, including "the potential for all sentient beings to attain liberation."
And yes, it does take serious study, or maore aptly, practice, to get a grip on what's being meant with 'Buddha-nature'. It is a pointer for those practicing dhyana - not dhyana misinterpreted as a trance-state, but dhyana as shikantaza, just sitting, not cutting-off thoughts and defilements, neither engaging in them; just sit. The phrase "Buddha-nature" points to this alert, watchfull, unengaged mind; but to demand a precise definition is like grabbing the finger pointing at the moon; you have to realize the presence of the moon itself, by sitting and observing. Joshua Jonathan -Let's talk!13:53, 27 October 2022 (UTC)[reply]
The lede is both an introduction and a summary of key points in the article. But immediately I am struck with "tathāgatagarbha and buddhadhātu," terms that I find confounding. Your response to me is thoughtful and contains elements that suggest that there is a middle way that is more approachable to someone who is not an expert. I am a lay Zen student who is not looking for a scholarly article, especially until I progress further along this path. I believe that Wikipedia should be approachable to everyone. One reason for this view is that Google often directs people to Wikipedia as its first choice. I can find other definitions from other sources that I and, presumably others, can related to without delving into details, but I approached Wikipedia first.
I can appreciate that my change to the lede might disrupt the continuity of the article, but, to me, it was an attempt to soften the approach of a very erudite exposition. Certainly I am aware of a number of Wikipedia articles that suffer because of too many authors. Also I know of articles that are so technical that true expert would not in general seek out in Wikipedia because there are better online and offline sources available.
I hope you will see my point of view; I have no intention to revert your changes. There is much worthy material here. Thanks for your detailed reply. Tachyon (talk) 12:03, 28 October 2022 (UTC)[reply]
@Janopus:this edit removed what was actually a quite concise definition:
The terms refer to the notion that the luminous mind of the Buddhas is inherently present in every sentient being, and will shine forth when it is cleansed of the defilements, c.q. when the nature of mind is recognised for what it is.
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