"Thus, the teachings
on Buddha Nature do not mean that there is some nucleus of Buddhhood
enclosed in sentient beings behind the temporary obscuring stains.
Rather, our whole existence as sentient beings is in itself the sum of
temporary stains that float like clouds in the infinite, bright sky of
Buddha Nature, the luminous, open expanse of our mind that has no limits
or boundaries. Once these clouds dissolve from the warm rays of the sun
of wisdom shining in this space, nothing within sentient beings has
been freed or developed, but there is just this radiant expanse without
any reference points of cloud-like sentient beings or cloud-free
Buddhas."
(Sthiramati, 6th century Indian Buddhist scholar-monk)