Sometimes you might doubt that all sentient beings have buddha-nature. You might find it hard to imagine that this potential for compassion exists in everyone when violence, massacres, genocide, and “ethnic cleansing” are happening throughout the world. You might even begin to believe that human nature is basically evil. But this is not the case. If, through introspection and meditation, you look deeply at the mind itself, you will apprehend the most fundamental aspect of consciousness, pure awareness. This nature of mind remains unspoiled even though obscuring emotions might temporarily cover it.

-- Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche