The Water of Nature Is True Emptiness; The Emptiness of Nature Is True Water

The phrase "the nature of water is true emptiness, and emptiness is true water" in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra refers to water that has already arisen from the seed of the water element, including water particles and the water in rivers, lakes, and seas. The essence of this water is composed of water particles, which are formed by the water element. The water element is the inherent seed within the Tathāgatagarbha, belonging to the Tathāgatagarbha, and its nature is also the nature of the Tathāgatagarbha. Therefore, all water formed by the water element is, in essence, the nature of the Tathāgatagarbha. What is the nature of the Tathāgatagarbha? The Tathāgatagarbha is emptiness—utter emptiness, devoid of all dharmas. Both the emptiness that can be emptied and the emptiness that is emptied are entirely empty; even emptiness itself is empty, utterly pure, without a single speck of dust. Thus, the nature of any water is true emptiness, yet within this emptiness, there also exists the true nature of water—unborn and undying. Therefore, when conditions arise, the Tathāgatagarbha can produce water. If there were no unborn, undying nature of water within the Tathāgatagarbha, no matter what conditions appeared, water could not be produced.

Therefore, regarding our thoughts, we may empty them entirely, emptying all dharmas until there is nothing left to empty. At that point, we arrive home, abiding within the Tathāgatagarbha, turning the great Dharma wheel. Why is it possible to turn the Dharma wheel even when everything has been emptied to the point of nothingness? Because within the emptiness of the Tathāgatagarbha, there still exist true earth, true water, true fire, true wind, true perception, and true consciousness—unborn, undying, truly existing. When conditions arise, they can produce all dharmas. After attaining Buddhahood, the power of vows remains undying, and conditions never cease. Coupled with the indestructible seeds of the seven fundamental elements within the Tathāgatagarbha, the Tathāgata freely turns the great Dharma wheel to liberate all suffering beings.