Why Is Tathāgatagarbha Not All-Pervading?

Question: Why is it said that the Tathagatagarbha is all-encompassing and omnipresent, yet also said that the Tathagatagarbha does not pervade the void?

Answer: The character "遍" (biàn, meaning "pervade" or "be everywhere") carries different meanings in different contexts. "Not pervading the void" means not filling the void like a material substance. The Tathagatagarbha is not a material dharma (色法); only material things can fill the void, while non-material things cannot. For example, dust can pervade the void because it is material and has form, whereas the Tathagatagarbha has no form and thus cannot pervade the void.

However, the Tathāgata pervades all dharmas. All dharmas are born from and upheld by the Tathagatagarbha; therefore, the function and activity of the Tathagatagarbha are present on all dharmas. This "pervasion" refers to an existence and functioning that is formless and without characteristics. The void is also a dharma; the Tathagatagarbha pervades it too, because the void is born from and manifested based on the Tathagatagarbha.

Yet, the Tathagatagarbha is not located in any place within the void. Sand and soil can exist within the void, air can exist within the void and pervade it, but the Tathagatagarbha does not pervade the void like these material things. The Tathagatagarbha is not material; how could it pervade the void?