The Gatha on the Transmission of the Dharma by the Thirteenth Patriarch Kapimala

Original Text: The Dharma that is neither concealed nor revealed is said to be the true reality. To realize this Dharma of concealment and revelation is neither ignorance nor wisdom. Explanation: The Tathagatagarbha itself does not deliberately conceal itself to prevent sentient beings from knowing, nor does it deliberately reveal itself to awaken sentient beings. It has no such mental activities. It is sentient beings who are ignorant or wise—the ignorant fail to recognize it, while the wise clearly perceive it. Regardless of whether sentient beings see or do not see, recognize or do not recognize it, the Tathagatagarbha truly exists, never arising or ceasing, never changing. It is the sole reality within and beyond the three realms. Upon realizing this Dharma of the Tathagatagarbha, which is both concealed and revealed, one understands that it is neither ignorant nor wise. It has no delusion, no greed, hatred, or ignorance, and is not ignorant of all phenomena. Yet, it also lacks the wisdom of the three realms—it does not know all phenomena, does not discriminate among them, does not calculate, analyze, contemplate, or reason, nor does it act as a sovereign ruler. It merely manifests phenomena according to conditions without attaining any phenomena.