Dalai Lama Foundation Study Circle Montreal

All is neither real nor delusive–
Held to be like [a reflection of] the moon on water by the learned.
Just this ordinary mind
Is called “dharmadhatu” and “Heart of the victors.”
–Venerable Rangjung Dorje

…Thus, seeming reality consists of the adventitious stains that are like [mistakenly seeing] a [white] conch as being yellow. Ultimate reality is the tathagata heart, which is like the [natural] white of the conch. Except for the mere appearances from the perspective of a mistaken [perceiving] subject, within the object–the conch–there is nothing white or yellow to be added or to be removed. Therefore, the pith instruction is to rest naturally and uncontrived.

In brief, what are called “samsara” and “nirvana” are set up from the point of view of mere seeming appearances, while the nature of both–luminosity free from reference points–is called tathagata heart. Consequently, in terms of the definitive meaning, mere appearances and their nature cannot be separated, just like fire and its heat. For this reason, the mother [sutras] say:

“Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form. Emptiness is nothing other than form. Form is nothing other than emptiness.” (p.165)

–from Gone Beyond: The Prajnaparamita Sutras, The Ornament of Clear Realization, and Its Commentaries in the Tibetan Kagyu Tradition, Volume One translated and introduced by Karl Brunnholzl, a Tsadra Foundation Series book, published by Snow Lion Publications

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