The Meaning of the Dharma

Buddhadharma has two meanings: one refers to the Dharma taught by the Buddha, all the methods by which one can attain buddhahood and liberation; the other refers specifically to the tathāgatagarbha dharma. Of these two meanings, one is broad and one is narrow, and most of the Buddhadharma taught in the Buddhist sutras refers to the tathāgatagarbha dharma. Buddha is the Tathāgata, the Buddha-mind is the tathāgatagarbha, and the Buddhadharma is the tathāgatagarbha dharma. Because all dharmas are manifested by the tathāgatagarbha, and all dharmas are established because of the tathāgatagarbha, the Buddhadharma is the tathāgatagarbha dharma.

Then, are the teachings of the non-Buddhist paths also manifested by the tathāgatagarbha? Of course they are. Without the tathāgatagarbha, there would be no non-Buddhists and no non-Buddhist teachings. Apart from the tathāgatagarbha, there are no good people and no evil people, no wholesome dharmas and no false dharmas. Apart from the tathāgatagarbha, all dharmas are false and illusory, 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 subsequently even better wholesome dharmas will appear.