Once you see your nature, sex is basically immaterial

Once you see your nature, sex is basically immaterial

Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism, is often credited with the famous quote, "Once you see your nature, sex is basically immaterial." This statement has sparked much debate and interpretation among scholars and practitioners of Zen Buddhism.

In the context of Bodhidharma's teachings, the phrase "seeing your nature" refers to the realization of one's true self or Buddha nature. This is the fundamental goal of Zen practice – to awaken to the inherent wisdom and compassion that lies within each individual. When one achieves this realization, they are said to have transcended the dualities of self and other, subject and object, and even male and female.