In fact, things are just as they right now, not characterized as one way or the other. In Chan teaching, “This mind is the Buddha”; we are already enlightened in our present mind.
In this sense, the Buddha is not simply a person, but rather a state of mind.
Given Southern Chan’s advocacy against choosing between dualities, unlike in Mencius’ philosophy, it does not see inherent goodness in human nature.
Instead, it is neutral—choosing neither side of human nature.