Dzogchen / As it is [3]

~Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

Looking from the pure angle, then, this buddha nature is present in every being, the expression of the victorious ones, just like the rays of light are present from the sun. The light is emanated by the sun, isn't it? If it weren't for the sun, there wouldn't be any light. Similarly, the origin of the body, speech and mind of beings is the expression of the buddha nature that pervades both samsara and nirvana. It is said that all sentient beings are buddhas, but they are covered by their temporary obscurations. These 'temporary obscurations' are our own thinking. 

Dharmadhatu encompasses all of samsara and nirvana - not just the awakened state of nirvana, but everything, every single thing. The ordinary body, speech and mind of sentient beings temporarily arose from the expression of the qualities of enlightened body, speech and mind. As space pervades, so awareness pervades. If this were not so, then space would pervade but rigpa wouldn't. Just like space, rigpa is all-encompassing: nothing is outside it. Just as the contents and beings are all pervaded by space, rigpa pervades the minds of beings. 

Dharmadhatu pervades all of samsara and nirvana. It is essential to start out with a basic understanding of the profundity of what is meant here in order to be able to authentically practice the teaching of the Great Perfection. Unless we know what is what, at least intellectually, it might seem to us as if sentient beings are disconnected, alien entities, and we have no idea of where they come from, where they belong or what they actually are. They are not disconnected at all. The difference between buddhas and sentient beings lies in the latter's narrowness of scope and attitude. Sentient beings confine themselves to their own limited little area of samsara through their own attitude and thinking. 

It is said that the difference between buddhas and sentient beings is like the difference between the narrowness and the openness of space. Sentient beings are like the space held within a tighdy closed fist, while buddhas are fully open, all-encompassing. Basic space and awareness are innately all-encompassing. Basic space is the absence of mental constructs, while awareness is the knowing of this absence of constructs, recognizing the complete emptiness of mind essence. Space and awareness are inherendy indivisible. It is said, "When the mother, the basic space of dharmadhatu, does not stray from her awareness child, have no doubt that they are forever indivisible." 

The ultimate Dharma is the realization of the indivisibility of basic space and awareness. That is the starting point, and that is what is pointed out to begin with. It is essential to understand this; otherwise, we might have the feeling that Samantabhadra and his consort are an old blue man and woman who lived aeons ago. It's not like that at all! Sarnantabhadra and his consort are the indivisible unity of space and awareness.