intrinsic nature; own distinct nature
Buddhist term referring to the inherent, unchanging essence of a thing or being. Often contrasted with conditioned phenomena.
In Buddhism, it is not held that all things possess an intrinsic nature.
The concept of the intrinsically pure mind is important in Mahayana Buddhism.
From Middle Chinese 自性 (d͡ziɪH siᴇŋH), a Buddhist term translating Sanskrit svabhāva ('own-being'). The kanji 自 means 'self' and 性 means 'nature'.