How to Understand the Equality of Sentient Beings and Buddha?

Beings and Buddhas are equal only in terms of true suchness and buddha-nature; as long as one has the buddha-nature, all beings will ultimately become Buddhas. What is not equal between beings and Buddhas are the illusory appearances of the five-aggregate world conjured forth and manifested by true suchness. Illusory appearances are, after all, illusory; what should truly be the focus is the truth that neither arises nor ceases. However, in order to regard the truth with equanimity rather than the illusions, one must first realize that the illusory appearances are indeed empty and selfless, then realize the truth, and then contemplate how false the illusions are and how true the reality is, with complete clarity in the mind. Only from then on can one, upon seeing sentient beings, contemplate their true nature, see through the illusory appearances, and finally attach to no marks whatsoever; then the mind-ground becomes equal, and one attains the equality wisdom (samatā-jñāna).

After realizing that illusory appearances are empty and selfless, one begins to subdue afflictions, and at a certain point one can exhaustively sever them. When one realizes the truth, one will likewise subdue and eradicate afflictions; the attachment to self and the attachment to dharmas are gradually severed, the mind-ground becomes ever purer and ever more equal, and finally one will have the four wisdoms perfectly luminous, accomplishing the Buddha Way. In this way, beings and Buddhas are equal not only in the truth but also in the illusory appearances of the five-aggregate world—this is complete and genuine equality.