Buddha tells us that absolutely everyone has the same potential he had to awaken to enlightenment. All we have to do to become exactly like him is apply the right path. Every single sentient being has buddha-nature and can therefore become enlightened. Even though we are utterly convinced of our own stupidity and ignorance, regularly despair at the ridiculous and terrible things we find ourselves doing — our “negative actions” — and are certain that our wrongdoings are too dense and impenetrable to do anything about, the truth is that all our defilements are removable.

-- Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche