As we get closer and closer to retrieving our inherent nature, we also come closer to becoming a Buddha.
There is only one mind, the original Buddha mind that is in us already—not two minds (the Buddha Mind versus our everyday defiled mind).
In Chan / Zen teaching, the historical Buddha was thus no different than us. He had the same Buddha nature that we each already have in ourselves.
If we can just stop looking for enlightenment, we will find that it is already here.