Brief talk on "Self-Nature" 淺談「自性」

"Self-Nature" is a concept by Buddhists which refers to the state or nature where something exists on its own without depending on any condition. The challenge in the comprehension of this concept (especially for those unfamiliar with Buddhist philosophy) is that it cannot be realized in the real world. However, we can attempt to interpret it reluctantly as a concept that is the opposite of "Emptiness".

「自性」是佛教的概念，指事物不依賴任何條件而自然存在的狀態或性質。理解這一概念的挑戰（特別是對於那些不熟悉佛教哲學的人來說）在於它無法在現實世界中實現。然而，我們可以勉強地嘗試將其解讀為與「空性」相反的概念。

Through exploration of "Emptiness", we got an idea that all phenomena, including material, psychological and emotional, never possess an inherent, unchanging essence. This means everything arises due to the interdependence of causes and conditions, and is not created by nothing. This idea leads us to gradually understand that we should approach things happen with greater freedom (wisdom and flexibility) and more compassion, but not with a cold, nihilistic sense.

透過對「空性」的探索，我們認識到一切現象，包括物質、心理和情感，都不具備固有的、不變的本質。意思是說，一切事物都是因緣合而產生的，不是無中生有。這種想法使我們逐漸明白，我們應該以更大的自由（智慧和靈活性）和更多的同情心來對待發生的事情，而不是以冷漠、虛無的心態來對待。

However, the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice is to achieve enlightenment and Buddhahood. When "Enlightenment" refers to the exploration and practice of "Emptiness", on the other hand, "Buddhahood" refers to the discovery of  "Buddha-Nature", a transcendental state due to "Enlightenment". This transcendental state is shared by all sentient beings (all life, physical or spiritual) and is inherent, eternal, unchanging. The achievement of Buddhahood means a thorough understanding of "Buddha-Nature", that is, the only eternal "Self-Nature".

然而，佛教修行的最終目的，是達致開悟與證得佛果。如果說「開悟」是指對「空性」的探索與修行，那麼「佛果」則是指因為「開悟」而發現（並安住於）一種超脫的境界。這是一切眾生（所有的生命體，無論是物質生命體還是精神生命體）所共有的、也是本有的、永恆的、不變的境界。「佛果」就是對「佛性」，也就是唯一的「自性」的透徹了解。

We will never be able to understand and accept the concept of "Buddha-Nature" as integration and symbiosis if we have never got a deep understanding of "emptiness". That is, we will definitely continue to compete or infringe on each other for temporary success and failure or gain and loss when we remain keeping our consciousness and cognition on the appearances that we attach. Thus, the understanding and comprehension of "Buddha-Nature", or named as "self-nature" , is a great challenge.

如果我們對「空性」沒有深刻理解，就永遠無法理解和接受「佛性」一體共生的概念。也就是說，當我們的意識和認知停留在我們所執著的外相（表像），我們仍然會為了暫時的成敗、得失而繼續相互競爭、互相侵害。因此，對「佛性」，或者說「自性」的認識和理解是一個很大的挑戰。

Even though there are great challenges in the process of understanding and finding our "Self-Nature", it does not mean there is no hope of doing that. Whether we are facing trivial incidents in our daily life, or the major events that shock the world, we can attempt to cultivate our compassion and wisdom to replace our attachment on any appearances. When we are no longer attached or trapped by the phenomena, we can achieve enlightenment gradually, and thus get known as our "Self-Nature" and achieve Buddhahood.

即使在理解和尋找我們的「自性」的過程中存在重大挑戰，但這並不意味著我們沒有希望做到這一點。無論我們是面對日常生活中的瑣碎事件，還是震撼世界的重大事件，我們都可以嘗試培養我們的慈悲和智慧，以取代我們對任何表象的執著。當我們不再被現象所束縛或執著時，我們可以逐漸實現開悟，從而認識到我們的「自性」，達致成佛。