Beyond Good and Evil

“Also, emancipation is what is 'empty and quiet’. There can be no indefiniteness. By indefinite is meant the situation of saying that the icchantika never changes and that those who committed grave offenses will never attain Buddhahood. Such things one can never apply. Why not? When that person [icchantika] gains pristine and genuine faith in the Wonderful Dharma of the Buddha, at that time the person annihilates the icchantika [within himself]. On becoming an upasaka (a lay follower), the icchantika [in that person] dies forever; the person who has committed grave offenses also attains Buddhahood when his sins have been expiated. Therefore, we can never say that there is no change for everyone and that Buddhahood cannot be attained. With true emancipation, however, there can be no such cases of annihilation. Also, ‘emptiness and quietude' are things of the Dharma world. The nature of the Dharma world is true emancipation. True emancipation is the Tathagata. Also, once the icchantika has died, we can no longer speak of the icchantika. What is an icchantika? An icchantika cuts off [within himself] all the roots of good deeds and his mind does not call forth any association with good. Not even a bit of good thought arises in his mind. Nothing like this occurs in true emancipation. As there is nothing of this nature, we say true emancipation. True emancipation is the Tathagata.”

Read More on the Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 7 - On the Four Aspects.