The meaning of the equality and non-differentiation of all dharmas

All dharmas are equal and without difference in two respects. First, all dharmas are subject to arising, ceasing, change, and impermanence; they are unreal, empty, and selfless—empty in the very moment they exist, and even more empty after they have ceased.

Second, all dharmas are of the nature of tathāgatagarbha, equal and without difference. All are born from the tathāgatagarbha through the seven intrinsically existing great seeds, and all contain the nature of the tathāgatagarbha. It is like gold vessels made from gold: all of them contain the properties of gold. The gold vessels differ from one another, but their essence has no difference—they are all gold, and all possess the value of gold. Gold itself does not arise, cease, or change, yet gold vessels will be destroyed; after they are destroyed, they are still gold.