The Concept of Dharmadhatu

The meaning of the One True Dharma Realm is that all dharmas are manifested and sustained by the Tathagatagarbha; all are functions and activities of the Tathagatagarbha. Not a single dharma can exist apart from the functioning of the Tathagatagarbha—a corpse is no exception. Any dharma not sustained by the Tathagatagarbha immediately ceases to exist without remainder, leaving not even a trace. The true body left behind by a practitioner belongs to the form-dust of all sentient beings and is collectively sustained by the Tathagatagarbhas of sentient beings with karmic connections, including the practitioner’s own Tathagatagarbha, which also sustains it. A finger that falls off one’s own body is initially sustained by one’s own Tathagatagarbha, hence it retains warmth and its nervous system remains functional; reattach it and it will function. If one’s own Tathagatagarbha ceases to sustain it personally, the finger loses warmth and becomes rigid. At this point, it belongs to the collective sustenance by the Tathagatagarbhas of sentient beings with karmic connections, and reattaching it would be futile.