The Difference Between Dependent Origination and Non-dependent Origination

The six consciousnesses, six dusts, and five roots of the dependent arising dharma are liable to scatter and decay, thus the dependent arising dharma is easily destroyed, easily altered, and easily severed. The non-dependent arising dharma, the mind root, is not liable to scatter or decay, is not easily destroyed, not easily altered, and not easily severed. Changing the inherent nature of the mind root is difficult, which is why it is said that cultivation is not easy, and liberation is not easy. The Tathagatagarbha, which is non-dependent arising dharma, will never scatter or decay, never change, cannot be altered, and cannot be severed. Therefore, the starting point of cultivation does not involve cultivating or altering the Tathagatagarbha. One only needs to realize that the Tathagatagarbha is true, while all phenomena of the five aggregates in the worldly realm are false. Then, with direct perception, one sees that all dharmas are products of the Tathagatagarbha and depend on the Tathagatagarbha to exist. Before the Tathagatagarbha, all dharmas are concealed and do not manifest. In this way, one no longer clings to any dharmas, not even to the Tathagatagarbha. The mind becomes a great void, empty emptiness—this is great liberation. Without meditative concentration, one sees all dharmas as all dharmas. With meditative concentration and wisdom, one sees all dharmas as not all dharmas, perceiving the true appearance of dharmas, their essence and root. Afterward, ignorance is extinguished, the mind is transformed, and liberation is attained.