The Changeless Nature

Buddha Nature 39B2g. PhasesThe impure, those both pure and impure and those absolutely,perfectly pure are known respectively as 'ordinary beings', 'bodhisattvas'and 'tathagatas' 14 . The buddha-nature, summarised by the sixprevious points on 'nature' and so on, is explained through threephases by means of these three terms.B2h. All-pervasivenessJust as space, concept-free by nature, pervades everything, so alsois the immaculate space all-pervading. The buddha-essence, which isthe general characteristic of all phenomena, permeates those who havefaults, those who have qualities and those who have the ultimatequalities, in the same way as space pervades all forms whether they beinferior, middling or excellentB2i. InalterabilitySince the faults are but accidental whereasits qualities are part of its very character,it is the changeless reality 15 ,the same after as it was before 16in the impure phase1. Just as space pervades everything yet remains absolutelyunpolluted by anything because of its extremely subtle,intangible character, similarly this buddha-nature, which ispresent in all beings, remains completely taint-free.2. Just as universes always arise and disintegrate in space, so alsodo the sense faculties arise and disintegrate in the uncreatespace of the buddha-nature.3. Just as space has never been consumed by fire, likewise this isnever consumed by the fires of death, sickness and ageing.