The Immutability of Tathāgatagarbha

The Tathagatagarbha remains unmoved by thoughts and mental activities; its mind does not shift or turn with the coming and going of external states, nor does it grasp at any phenomenal appearances. Yet, while the mind remains unmoving, it simultaneously gives birth to and sustains all phenomena moment by moment. All dharmas are born from it, and its functions are exceedingly numerous. However, despite this multiplicity, its essence is pure and non-active—unmoved by thoughts or mental processes, and it does not feel busy. Regardless of what karmic actions the five aggregates and seven consciousnesses perform, the Tathagatagarbha does not stir in response; it has no thoughts whatsoever. No matter what karmic seeds manifest, the Tathagatagarbha has no emotions or sensations, yet it continuously manifests all dharmas in accordance with karmic seeds, while simultaneously remaining unrelated to all phenomena—like Mount Sumeru, steadfast and unmoved, regardless of the winds from east, west, south, or north. It is unchanging yet accommodating, accommodating yet unchanging—untainted, not swept away by worldly currents to lose its intrinsic nature, neither merges with nor accompanies all dharmas. These describe the essential nature of the Tathagatagarbha.