Sacred Sutta Treasury · CBETA T16, no. 666 · Buddhabhadra
Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra (The Matrix of the Tathāgata)
如来藏经 · 宣示一切众生身中本具清净佛性之根本大乘经典
The seminal discourse revealing the Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-Nature) residing within all sentient beings. Through nine poetic similes—such as gold buried in filth, a jewel wrapped in dirty rags, and an embryo in the womb—the Buddha reveals that every living being inherently possesses the pure, undecaying seed of the Tathāgata.
Historical context
While dwelling at Vulture Peak, the Buddha manifested a vision of countless radiant lotus flowers rising into the sky. Within each blossom, a golden Buddha was seated in full lotus posture. Suddenly, the outer petals withered, yet the luminous Buddhas within remained radiant and untainted.
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Further reading
Open complete translations and specialist reference material for deeper study.
- T666 · 大方等如來藏經
CBETA · Chinese Buddhist Electronic Text AssociationConsult the complete named Taishō recension used as the canonical reconstruction anchor.