Tathatā | Research & Encyclopedia Articles

TathatĀ

TATHATĀ. According to the Dasheng qixin lun (The Awakening of Faith in Mahāyāna), "suchness" (Skt., tathatā or bhūtatathatā; Chin., chen-ju; Tib., de bźin nyid) denotes the totality of reality in both its transcendental and phenomenal aspects. It establishes the oneness and unity of the absolute and relative spheres and expresses the totality of all things (dharmadhātu). Suchness is held to exist in all beings and thus to undergo no changes either in its perfect or defiled state: its nature remains uncreated and eternal. All events and things of saṃsāra (i.e., all dharmas) make their appearance in the form of individualizations or mental constructions as a consequence of the beginningless continuity of the subconscious memory (smṛti) of past experiences acquired during previous existences. It is through the elimination of all mental projections that the world construed in the mind (citta) ceases to make its appearances. When seen in this radically transformed way, all things in their essential nature escape and defy any explanation or description because they are free and beyond distinction, remain unchanged, and are characterized by their absolute sameness (samatā), which precludes any transformation, destruction, or distinction. Since they cannot be explained in any way, their verbal or conceptual descriptions must be regarded as mere representations; they do not denote realities.

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