The Meaning of the Equality and Non-Difference of All Dharmas

All dharmas are equal and without difference in two respects. In the first respect, all dharmas are subject to arising, ceasing, change, and impermanence; they are unreal, empty, and without self — at the very moment they exist, they are empty, and after they cease, they are even more so.

In the second respect, all dharmas are of the nature of tathāgatagarbha, equal and without difference. All are born of the tathāgatagarbha through the seeds of the seven great elements, and all contain the tathāgatagarbha nature. For example, gold vessels made from gold all contain the properties of gold. The gold vessels differ, but their essence does not differ — they are all gold, and all possess the value of gold. Gold itself does not arise, cease, or change, yet gold vessels can be destroyed, and after they are destroyed, they are still gold.