The Dharma of Arising and Ceasing and the Dharma of Non-Arising

Verse by Bodhisattva Nagarjuna:

"Phenomena do not arise from themselves, nor do they arise from another. They do not arise from both, nor do they arise without cause. Therefore, it is known that there is no arising."

The meaning of Bodhisattva Nagarjuna’s statement is that phenomena do not produce themselves, nor do they arise from other things. That is to say, one thing does not give birth to another thing; phenomena do not arise from the mutual combination of themselves and external conditions, nor do they arise without any cause of arising. The meaning of the last sentence is that the arising of phenomena has causes—they do not arise without causes.

So what is the cause? The fundamental cause is the Tathagatagarbha, the mind of True Reality. All phenomena originate from the mind-essence of the Tathagatagarbha, which stores seeds. They are not created by any deity or god. The true cause of all phenomena is the Tathagatagarbha; their source is the Tathagatagarbha. Therefore, phenomena are things that arise—what arises must cease. Though they seem to arise, there is no real arising; they are merely illusory appearances conjured up. Though they seem to arise, they do not truly arise—they are but false appearances.

Truly unarisen is only the Tathagatagarbha. It is not produced; it is inherently existent. It is beginningless, and therefore endless. What has a beginning must have an end; only the beginningless can be endless.