Colors in the Daytime

Then, Bodhisattva Lion's Roar said: "Oh, World Honored One! If it is the case that all beings possess the Buddha Nature, like any vajra-guardsman [i.e., a person who holds in his hands a diamond, and thus protects the Buddhist teaching], why is it that all beings can not see it?"

The Buddha said: "Oh, good man! For example, the 'matter' ['rupa’] has representational qualities as (color) blue, yellow, red, and white; (size) as long or short; but a blind person can not see them as such. Although not seen, we can not say that there are no such qualities as blue, yellow, red, white, long or short. Why not? Although a blind person can not see them, someone who has eyes can see them. It's the same with the Buddha Nature. Although all beings can not see it, the Bodhisattva of the ten abodes can see it somewhat; the Tathagata sees it thoroughly. The Buddha Nature seen by the Bodhisattva of the ten abodes is like colors seen at night. What the Tathagata sees is like colors seen in the daytime.”

Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 33, on the Bodhisattva Lion's Roar 1.

colors in the daytime.mp3