Understanding Grace and Original Enlightenment in Buddhism

The dictionary defines grace as, 'a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior."  Another definition that is commonly used in religious circles is, 'underserved mercy.' 

To understand the Buddhist interpretation of grace we first need to understand the teaching of Original Enlightenment, which is found in the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana Sutra.

It states that all sentient beings are inherently enlightened. More than that, they all exist as part of a single Buddha-body.
This is explaine...