The Intrinsic Nature of All Dharmas Is Neither Conditioned Nor Spontaneous

All phenomena are fundamentally neither conditioned nor naturally existent. The World-Honored One in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra negates those two conditioned and natural causes for the arising of all phenomena. Thus, only one conclusion remains: all phenomena are the nature of Tathāgatagarbha, illusorily manifested and born from Tathāgatagarbha. Therefore, all phenomena possess the nature of Tathāgatagarbha; this is the only possible conclusion. Those non-Buddhist paths that are unaware of or do not acknowledge the existence of Tathāgatagarbha claim that all phenomena either arise from various conditions or exist naturally, spontaneously. However, the World-Honored One states that all phenomena arise from Tathāgatagarbha; without Tathāgatagarbha, no phenomena can be established.

The World-Honored One declares that the source of each and every dharma—the five aggregates, the six sense faculties, the six sense objects, the six consciousnesses, the twelve sense fields, and the eighteen elements—is Tathāgatagarbha. They are not assembled from various conditions, nor do they exist inherently; they are produced by Tathāgatagarbha based on various conditions. The World-Honored One explains this thoroughly, negating and blocking all other sources and origins from which all phenomena could arise; only Tathāgatagarbha can produce all these phenomena. The analysis by the World-Honored One in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra teaches beings to engage in contemplative practice, realizing that the five aggregates, the twelve sense fields, and the eighteen elements are all illusory, all subsequently born, all subject to arising and ceasing, and all originate from Tathāgatagarbha. Based on this, we too can engage in contemplative practice to sever the view of self, then locate the abode of Tathāgatagarbha, and understand its functions. This is realizing the enlightened mind. Therefore, the Śūraṅgama Sūtra is sufficient for us to realize Tathāgatagarbha.