Equality in Buddhadharma

The concept of equality in the Dharma refers to the fundamental equality in the essence of the Tathāgatagarbha true suchness mind inherent in every sentient being. The true suchness Tathāgatagarbha essence is identical in all sentient beings, without distinction, without superiority or inferiority, greatness or smallness, excellence or deficiency, strength or weakness, and so forth. It is also equal and indistinguishable from the true suchness mind of all Buddhas throughout the ten directions. Its essence is pure, inherently untainted, undefiled by the six dusts, and capable of manifesting all dharmas equally, without discrimination based on good or evil, right or wrong, beauty or ugliness, male or female, and other such appearances. Although the essence of true suchness is equal, this does not preclude the inequality of the manifestations it projects, because sentient beings differ in their karmic conditions and karmic seeds, resulting in different manifestations. If manifestations were also required to be equal, that would itself be unequal, violating the law of causality. The true suchness mind of equanimity, dependent on conditions, manifests unequal illusory appearances. This is equality upon equality, true equality, perfectly equal and one. All unequal appearances are the equal principle-body of true suchness, equal and without distinction, one substance without duality.