Emancipation and the Immutable Dharma

“Also, emancipation is the immutable Dharma. This is in contrast to enmity and friendship, which do not exist in true emancipation. Furthermore, immutability may be likened to a Chakravartin [a great monarch of the world]. There is no one who befriends him. No one becomes his friend. The fact that the king has no friends may be likened to true emancipation. True emancipation is the Tathagata. The Tathagata is Dharma. Also, the 'immutable' may be contrasted with white clothing, which can easily be dyed. It is not thus with emancipation. Also, this 'immutable' may be likened to varsiki [evergreen vine of eastern India, grown for their profusion of fragrant white flowers]. Thus, making it smelly and blue in color is impossible. It is the same with the true emancipation. Whatever we do, we cannot make it smelly, or change its color. For this reason, emancipation is the Tathagata.”

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