Although we use words such as achieving, wishing, and praying for enlightenment, ultimately we don’t acquire enlightenment from an external source. A more correct way to put it is discovering the enlightenment that has always been there. Enlightenment is part of our true nature. Our true nature is like a golden statue; however, it is still in its mold, which is like our defilements and ignorance. Because ignorance and emotion are not an inherent part of our nature, just as the mold is not part of the statue, there is such a thing as primordial purity. When the mold is broken, the statue emerges. When our defilements are removed, our true buddhanature is revealed.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

from the book What Makes You Not a Buddhist

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Further quotes from the book What Makes You Not a Buddhist:

• Corrosion begins as soon as creation begins
• Clinging to our hopes and fears
• The real enemy
• Where will they scatter my ashes
• Acts of Generosity
• Today is the death of yesterday
• Being a Buddhist
• What is in the mind of a Buddhist
• A practicing Buddhist
• A simple, scientific fact
• Living fully
• Our true nature is like a wineglass
• Shielding ourselves and others from the truth
• Buying into emotions
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• Like monkeys
• Your own ignorance betrays you
• The spiritual path is a temporary solution
• Not paranoid but prepared