The Buddha Nature and the Real Self

Yes, there is Atma, the Self or the Soul, but not as understood by the common people.  This real Self or the real Soul is what is called the Buddha Nature within you.

The difference between the real Self and the Buddha Nature is only in the spelling.  These are like two fingers of two friends pointing at the same moon.  Do not get stuck looking at the finger.  Look at the moon.  These two spiritual friends are the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni and Sri Adi Shankara who are well-known for their teachings of "Not the Self" and spiritual oneness.  The Lord Buddha Shakyamuni taught in the Magadhi language.  The concept of Not the Self (not the Soul), was transcribed as anatta in Pali and anatma in Sanskrit, which also means Not the Self (not the Soul).  The concept of Not the Self (not the Soul) was later misunderstood and distorted as "no self" or "no soul."  Sri Adi Shankara taught the concept of anatma in his treatise "Atmanatma Vivekam" contained in the book, Sri Sankara Gradha Ratnavali.  The concept of anatma is also taught in chapter 2, verse 7 (2.7) of the Taittiriya Upanishad.

This topic is difficult for ordinary people to comprehend;  therefore it is necessary to meditate over and over on what has been written.

~ Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, Excerpt from Om Mani Padme Hum, Third Edition 


(written in http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150097648699512&id=52621762401)