Final answer:
In Buddhism, all beings possess the Buddha nature, which is the potential for enlightenment and realization of nirvana. Prominent figures like Bodhisattvas illustrate this capacity to achieve Buddhahood, emphasizing the universal accessibility of the path to enlightenment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who possesses the Buddha nature? According to the teachings of Buddhism, the Buddha nature is an intrinsic quality present in all beings. In Buddhist philosophy, enlightenment, or the attainment of nirvana, is attainable by all through adherence to the path laid out by Siddhartha Gautama, the first Buddha. In the context of Bodhisattvas, individuals who are spiritually advanced and on the path toward Buddhahood, such as Maitreya, the concept of Buddha nature is of particular significance. They are individuals who have vowed to achieve full enlightenment and to assist all sentient beings in achieving the same. The idea is inclusive and universal, rejecting the notion of a permanent self or soul and instead espousing the potential for enlightenment in all. Thus, every individual, whether a lowly sinner or a saint, possess the Buddha nature and the capacity to realize their own spiritual awakening.