Part 6 - Because it is primordially pure, it is without birth and cessation

This is the natural state, eternally unborn.
The non-dwelling nature of mind, unobstructed and unceasing,
Groundless, rootless empty pervasion of the three times,
Is ground of the ceaseless appearance of variety.

With neither things or marks, it cannot be eternal.
Ceaselessly self-arising, it cannot be nothingness.
Also not both or neither, it is inexpressible.
Since nothing exists as “this,” it is unidentified.
Its nature should be known as primordial purity.

Because the naturally pure nature of mind is groundless and rootless, it is said to be empty. Since its arising is completely ceaseless, it is said to be appearance. Since, if examined, it has no things or characteristics, it is free from the extreme of eternalism. Since, as mere apprehension, it is ceaseless, it is free from the extreme of nihilism. Since there is no other third class which would be both or neither, there is nothing that could be identified as “this.” Except by mere expressions like “naturally pure” it is inexpressible. Such is wisdom unobscured by extremes. Saraha says:

As for spotless wisdom, unobscured by extremes,
Free from actions, it is not accretion of karma.

Since at that time it is changeless, therefore it is eternal.

The net of wrong conceptions is nothingness. Although it is divided into enlightened and other aspects the Embodiment of the Intention (dgongs pa ‘dus pa) says:

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
The truly eternal is for eternity.
The great eternal has no antidote.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
As what is truly nothing is nothingness,
Enlightenment cuts the stream of what is wrong.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
Except as the universal and limitless,
Perfect buddhahood will not be found.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
Mind itself is perfect buddhahood.
There is no other sort of buddhahood.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
The three-fold world was the essence from the start,
Unfabricated, unerring, and self-existing.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
The nature is this self-existing space.
The perfect Buddha does not need to be sought.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
All and everything exists in goodness;
Universal and wondrous to be told.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
Apart from this essence of enlightenment,
No non-realization exists at all.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
Everything is the Buddha, and, within it,
There can be no obscuration by concept.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
Thought itself is the purity of non-thought.
There is nothing other than sugatagarbha.

E ma ho, wondrous, marvelous Dharma!
This is the secret of all the perfected buddhas.
Within enlightenment, the essence of all,
Eternal realization is by itself.