The True Liberated One Does Not Empty Emptiness

The original text of the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra states: Liberation is called "non-emptiness of emptiness." "Emptiness of emptiness" is called "non-existence." "Non-existence" refers to the liberation conceived by heterodox paths such as the Nigranthas. However, the Nigranthas actually possess no liberation; hence it is called "emptiness of emptiness." True liberation is not like this; therefore, it is called "non-emptiness of emptiness." The non-emptiness of emptiness is true liberation. True liberation is the Tathāgata. Moreover, liberation is called "non-emptiness."

Explanation: Those who are liberated are called "non-emptiness of emptiness." Those who are "emptiness of emptiness" are called "non-existence." "Non-existence" is the liberation clung to by the heterodox Nigranthas. But the Nigranthas actually have no liberation; hence it is called "emptiness of emptiness." Those who are truly liberated are not like this; therefore, they are called "non-emptiness of emptiness." The non-emptiness of emptiness is the true liberator. The true liberator is the Tathāgata. Additionally, the liberated one is called "non-emptiness."

In the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, this "non-emptiness of emptiness" refers to the true mind, the Tathāgatagarbha. Those who thoroughly realize the Tathāgatagarbha attain the ultimate liberation. Why is this so? Those who completely realize the Tathāgatagarbha know that only the Tathāgatagarbha is the true reality of phenomena. All else arises from and manifests as the Tathāgatagarbha—illusory and unreal phenomena. Thus, the view of self and attachment to self, as well as views of phenomena and attachments to phenomena, are entirely eradicated and extinguished. They are liberated from all worldly bonds, attaining ultimate and complete liberation. This far surpasses the provisional, incomplete liberation of the Hinayana, transcending emptiness, transcending the emptiness of emptiness, and transcending heterodox paths.

Those who realize the "emptiness of emptiness" perceive all phenomena as non-existent. Those who believe in non-existence—denying even the Tathāgatagarbha as the true reality of the Dharma realm—cling to the liberation spoken of by heterodox paths. In truth, this is not liberation. Truly liberated individuals do not hold such views. Therefore, the truly liberated are those of "non-emptiness of emptiness." Such individuals are the Tathāgata. The Tathāgata realizes the true reality of all phenomena and is called "non-emptiness."