In Buddhist thought, no living being has a fixed or eternal essence or soul. In Theravada Buddhism this is presented as the principle of no-self (anatta) and in Mahayana Buddhism it is understood as emptiness (shunyata): everything and everyone is ‘empty’ or ‘devoid’ of an essence or ‘self.’ Who are we, then, if we have no essence, if there is nothing like a soul that continues? Mahayana speaks of all beings as having ‘buddha nature,’ that is, the potential to become enlightened as a buddha. That seed of buddhahood within us is what makes it possible to make progress on the spiritual path and to attain enlightenment. Before we reach that goal, we can develop all the qualities inherent in our buddha nature: limitless compassion, love and wisdom, and the ability to support others in their search for enlightenment.

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