What lies within: Uncovering the holy spirit with the aid of Buddhist philosophy

Abstract

Pentecostal pneumatology claims that the holy spirit is present and active throughout the world. Yet, at the same time, Pentecostal pneumatology also asserts that there are “dark,” demonic spaces where the light of God is absent. How can the holy spirit be both omnipresent and at times absent? In this essay, I argue that the Mahàyàna Buddhist philosophy of Buddha-nature can aid this apparent inconsistency. Like the Holy Spirit, Buddha-nature is present and active throughout the universe, though at times Buddha-nature also seems to be absent.