The Meaning of the Buddha-Dharma

The Buddha-dharma has two meanings: first, it refers to the teachings taught by the Buddha—all the methods by which one can attain buddhahood and liberation; second, it refers specifically to the dharma of tathāgatagarbha. Of these two meanings, one is narrow and the other broad; in most Buddhist sūtras, the Buddha-dharma spoken of refers to the dharma of tathāgatagarbha.

All dharmas are manifested by tathāgatagarbha. So are the dharmas of the non-Buddhist paths also manifested by tathāgatagarbha? Of course they are. Without tathāgatagarbha, there would be no non-Buddhists and no dharmas of the non-Buddhist paths; apart from tathāgatagarbha, there are no good people and no evil people, no wholesome dharmas and no false dharmas.

Apart from tathāgatagarbha, everything is false, but false dharmas have the functions of false dharmas. In particular, the function of wholesome dharmas can counteract unwholesome dharmas; one need only not crave and cling to wholesome dharmas, and better wholesome dharmas will subsequently appear.