Excerpts from the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment

The original text of the Surangama Sutra: At all times, do not give rise to delusive thoughts; regarding all delusive minds, do not attempt to extinguish them. Abiding in the realm of false thinking, do not engage in analytical understanding; regarding the absence of analytical understanding, do not debate what is real.

Explanation: This refers to the state of equilibrium in samādhi and prajñā (meditative concentration and wisdom) of the Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature). The Tathāgatagarbha is constantly in samādhi, without ever emerging from it; therefore, it never gives rise to thoughts. Because it is not a deluded dharma, it has no delusive thoughts characteristic of deluded dharmas, nor does it seek to extinguish the delusive seventh consciousness (manas). The Tathāgatagarbha manifests the realm conjured by the false thinking of the seventh consciousness, yet it does not engage in understanding that this is a realm of false thinking. Regarding this very lack of understanding, it does not make distinctions, nor does it know whose lack of understanding it is.