Everyone Has the Potential to Become Buddha

The Avalokiteshvara above is by the wonderful contemporary artist, Mayumi Oda.

"Many people say that even though they have an aspiration to study the Way, it is the final age and they are at a low level of learning. It is impossible for them to practice in accord with the dharma (nyohō 如法). Thus they wish to have good karma and wait until the next life for realization.

"I declare here and now that these words are completely wrong. Everyone has the potential to become a Buddha. Do not think that you do not have the potential to become a Buddha. If you concentrate wholly on practice (egyō 依行), you will get realization."

-Dōgen Zenji in Shōbōgenzō zuimonki, trans. trans. Eiji Suhara, slightly modified