Several practices in the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra light the way toward uncovering that ever-present Buddha-nature:

• Mindful Abidance in True Self: Rather than fixating on outer forms or lofty emptiness alone, the text urges settling into the “eternal, blissful, self, pure” essence. Quiet sitting—eyes gently closed, breath flowing—becomes an invitation to watch every thought pass like clouds, revealing the heart’s unshakable clarity beneath.

• Recitation and Hearing of the Dharma: Repeatedly chanting the Buddha’s name or key phrases—“Tathāgata-garbha,” for instance—acts like tuning a radio to the soul’s frequency. Regularly listening to this teaching, whether in a temple gathering or via today’s online Dharma talks, deepens conviction that no flaw can tarnish innate purity.

• Reflection on Inherent Purity: Picture a gold nugget buried under mud. Even if it lies hidden, its worth never dwindles. Contemplating such similes keeps faith alive during life’s storms, echoing current mindfulness trends that highlight self-compassion apps or breath-work sessions as modern mirrors of these ancient methods.

• Prostrations as Body-Mind Integration: Bowing before a Buddha-image isn’t mere ritual. It knits posture, breath, and intention, anchoring the sense of reverence that gently dissolves self-doubt. In some monastic communities today, guided prostration workshops have become popular “mind-body retreats,” illustrating this timeless link.

• Cultivating Loving-Kindness (Maitrī) and Compassion (Karunā): The sutra places heartfelt concern for all beings on par with meditative stillness. Sending goodwill—internally or through community service—brings the ever-present Buddha-spark into everyday life, much like global movements for social justice channel compassion into action.

Each of these paths—silent sitting, sacred recitation, vivid reflection, embodied reverence, and boundless love—are threads of the same tapestry. Together, they weave a living practice that aligns the mind with its deepest, indestructible nature.