Section Four: All Buddhas of the Three Periods Attain Supreme Enlightenment by Relying on the True Suchness Mind-essence

Sutra: ["All Buddhas of the three periods, by relying on Prajna Paramita, attained Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi."] The Buddhas of the three periods include: the Buddhas and World-Honored Ones who attained Buddhahood in the past; the Buddhas and World-Honored Ones presently abiding in the world; and the Buddhas and World-Honored Ones who will attain Buddhahood in the future. All Buddhas of the three periods must rely on this Prajna Paramita to accomplish the unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment. It is through realizing this Tathagatagarbha, the True Suchness Mind, and relying upon this Tathagatagarbha, the True Suchness Mind, that they ultimately attain complete Buddhahood. Here, the Buddha clarifies that Tathagatagarbha is the true substance and principal agent for attaining Buddhahood; it is the key and fundamental reliance for Buddhahood.

Sentient beings who realize Tathagatagarbha are called great Bodhisattvas—Bodhisattva Mahasattvas. In the Buddha-lands, they are the principal members of future Buddhas. Ordinary sentient beings, since all possess the true mind Tathagatagarbha, can theoretically be considered future Buddhas. However, due to vastly different capacities, their attainment of Buddhahood is ultimately too distant and unpredictable. Future Buddhas, to accomplish the Buddha Way, must realize Tathagatagarbha. Then, by turning towards and relying upon the pure nature of Tathagatagarbha, and by learning the immeasurable, boundless Prajna wisdom inherently present within Tathagatagarbha, they can ultimately transform the consciousness-mind into great wisdom and become perfectly complete Buddhas.