seed of Buddhahood ［仏種］ ( busshu): The cause for attaining Buddhahood. The Buddha nature inherent in ordinary people, or the innate potential to become a Buddha; also the Buddha’s teaching, which clarifies and enables people to realize their Buddha nature. Bodhisattva practice, the practice required of a bodhisattva, is also regarded as the seed of Buddhahood. One ensures the cause for realizing enlightenment by receiving the Buddha’s teaching, the seed of Buddhahood. Based on the Lotus Sutra, T’ien-t’ai (538–597) interpreted the seed of Buddhahood as the doctrine of three thousand realms in a single moment of life, and Nichiren (1222–1282) defined it as the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. See also sowing, maturing, and harvesting.