The Tathāgatagarbha and All Dharmas Are Neither Identical Nor Different

The Tathāgatagarbha emits the four great seeds, generating certain material forms, just as gold is forged into a golden basin. When a container is needed, the golden basin is used. When golden utensils are required, the golden basin becomes useless; it is melted down and forged anew into golden utensils.

Similarly, when such material forms cease, the four great seeds flow back into the Tathāgatagarbha. When other material forms are needed, the Tathāgatagarbha again emits the four great seeds to generate other material forms. Therefore, it is said that all dharmas are the Tathāgatagarbha, neither identical to nor separate from it. Each has its function, each has its nature, each has its characteristics, and each has its substance. The nature of all dharmas is determined by the Tathāgatagarbha; the characteristics of all dharmas are determined by the Tathāgatagarbha; the substance of all dharmas is established by the Tathāgatagarbha; and the function of all dharmas is endowed by the Tathāgatagarbha. Thus, all dharmas are the Tathāgatagarbha—neither one nor different.

The Tathāgatagarbha neither arises nor ceases; the seven great seeds neither arise nor cease. All dharmas appear to arise and cease, yet fundamentally, they neither arise nor cease. When they cease, they arise again—what harm is there in cessation? As long as the Tathāgatagarbha exists and the seven great seeds exist, all dharmas never permanently cease. What harm is there in their intermittent existence?