Commentary on the Sutra of the Compilation of the Father and the Son (Lecture 198)

Three Gates of Liberation

Original text: Great King, the senses are like illusions, the realms are like dreams, all dharmas are empty and still in their nature. This is called the Gate of Emptiness. Emptiness has no sign of emptiness, it is called the Gate of Signlessness. If there is no sign, then there is no seeking, it is called the Gate of Wishlessness. If one can thoroughly understand the three gates of liberation, which are all empty, the path to Bodhi, vast as the Dharma Realm, ultimate as emptiness. Regarding this analogy, one should know it thus.

Explanation: The Buddha said: Great King, the six senses are all illusory, all realms are like dreams, the nature of all dharmas is entirely empty and still, this is the Gate of Emptiness. The Gate of Emptiness has no sign of emptiness, it is called the Gate of Signlessness. If all dharmas have no sign, then we should not have any wishes or seeking, it is called the Gate of Wishlessness. If we can thoroughly understand these three gates of liberation, which are all empty and operate with emptiness, then the great path to Nirvana and Bodhi is vast as the Tathagatagarbha Dharma Realm, its ultimate nature is like emptiness. Regarding such an analogy, we should recognize it thus.