How the Resultant State of Buddhahood is Certain to Arise from its Cause,

Buddha Lineage.

A seed can be referred to as “lineage” and in this sense the seed that is suitable to become a buddha is known as “buddha lineage”. If sentient beings did not possess such a seed in their mindstream it would be impossible to become buddhas. Buddhism asserts that the cause of becoming a buddha is present in all sentient beings. In other words, someone like ourselves might be full of faults at present, but in the future we can eliminate all such faults and acquire every positive quality. This is accepted from the perspective of possessing buddha lineage and for this reason it is necessary to study buddha lineage in order to understand that sentient beings possess the cause of buddhahood. Unlike the human body that ages, the human mind does not age. At the time of death the physical elements lose their ability to function but the mind remains capable of function and cognition even gains further clarity. In accordance with this principle we can improve the part of our mind that is clear and knowing and in this way become enlightened. According to Buddhism, even ordinary beings like us can achieve qualities equaling those of the buddhas, if we rely on the teachings of our Teacher and practice diligently the various stages of the path.