Nature and characteristics are neither identical nor different

Self-nature manifests depending on the five aggregates, the eighteen realms, and the myriad dharmas; when there are no five aggregates, He cannot manifest, and this is called "hidden." This means that apart from the five aggregates and eighteen realms, no one can find the self-nature of the tathāgatagarbha—not even the buddhas can find it. This is the realm of the arhat's nirvāṇa without remainder: nothing exists, nothing is there. That realm has no joy whatsoever and no meaning whatsoever.

Although self-nature is formless and without marks, it is not a mere designation, not a provisional name; He has a real substance that exists, and that is why it is called the true mind/mind of suchness. So regarding self-nature, one can say: when conditions exist, He manifests; when conditions are absent, He is hidden. Nature and characteristics are neither the same nor different. If they were the same, then when characteristics cease, self-nature would cease; but in reality, when characteristics cease, self-nature does not cease. If they were different, the two would have no relation to each other. Therefore, nature and characteristics are neither the same nor different.