The innate potential for becoming a tathāgata that all beings possess. Also refers to a class of discourses that proclaim this teaching.

The term tathāgata­garbha means “matrix of the tathāgata,” “pregnant with a Realized One,” “womb or seed of a Realized One,” “containing a buddha,” “having buddha nature,” and so on. It is commonly known as buddha-nature, the potential for buddhahood, present in every sentient being.