The Truly Liberated One Does Not Empty Emptiness

The Original Text of the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra: Liberation is called "not empty emptiness." "Empty emptiness" is called "utter non-existence." "Utter non-existence" is the liberation conceived by the non-Buddhist Nirgranthas and others. Yet, these Nirgranthas have no actual liberation; hence, it is called "empty emptiness." True liberation is not like this. Therefore, it is "not empty emptiness." That which is "not empty emptiness" is true liberation. True liberation is the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called "not empty."

Explanation: One who is liberated is called "not empty emptiness." One who is "empty emptiness" is called "utter non-existence." "Utter non-existence" is the liberation clung to by the non-Buddhist Nirgranthas. However, the Nirgranthas actually have no liberation; therefore, it is called "empty emptiness." A truly liberated person is not like this; therefore, they are called "not empty emptiness." That which is "not empty emptiness" is the truly liberated one. The truly liberated one is the Tathāgata. Additionally, the liberated one is called "not empty."

In the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, this "not empty emptiness" refers to the True Mind, the Tathāgatagarbha. One who thoroughly and ultimately realizes the Tathāgatagarbha is the supreme liberated one. Why is this said? One who thoroughly and ultimately realizes the Tathāgatagarbha knows that only the Tathāgatagarbha is the true dharma-nature. Apart from this, all other phenomena are merely the born and manifested, false, and unreal dharmas produced by the Tathāgatagarbha. Thus, the view of self and attachment to self, as well as the view of dharmas and attachment to dharmas, are all eradicated and exhausted. Such a one is liberated from the bondage of all worldly dharmas. This is the ultimate and thorough liberation, far surpassing the incomplete, temporary liberation of the Śrāvakas (Hīnayāna), surpassing emptiness, surpassing "empty emptiness," and surpassing non-Buddhist paths.

One who realizes "empty emptiness" realizes that all dharmas are utterly non-existent. If one holds that there is utter non-existence, including the non-existence of the Tathāgatagarbha, the reality of the dharma realm, then this is the liberation spoken of by non-Buddhists. In reality, this is non-liberation. A truly liberated person does not hold such a view. Therefore, a truly liberated person is one who is "not empty emptiness." Such a one is the Tathāgata. The Tathāgata realizes the true nature of all dharmas and is called "not empty."