Our Own Buddha

Deluded, a Buddha is a sentient being;
Awakened, a sentient being is a Buddha.

Ignorant, a Buddha is a sentient being;
With wisdom, a sentient being is a Buddha.

If the mind is warped, a Buddha is a sentient being;
If the mind is impartial, a sentient being is a Buddha.

When once a warped mind is produced,
Buddha is concealed within the sentient being.

If for one instant of thought we become impartial,
Then sentient beings are themselves Buddha.

In our mind itself a Buddha exists,
Our own Buddha is the true Buddha.

If we do not have in ourselves the Buddha mind,
Then where are we to seek the Buddha?

~ Huineng