“This does not mean that emptiness, the nonexistence of an inherent nature, annihilates everything and denies the establishment of all things, however. On the contrary, if things were not empty and without an inherent nature but instead had an inherent nature, then they would be things with a fixed existence. A thing that really existed and had an inherent nature would not need to arise from conditions. In such a case, that which had not arisen could not arise, that which had not become extinct could not become extinct, and ordinary people would remain ordinary people and could not become buddhas! Fortunately, because of emptiness everything has to arise from conditions; relying on causes and conditions, all things can be established. Those doing good will get good rewards, while those doing evil will get evil retributions. Those who are confused will transmigrate through the cycle of birth and death, while those who are enlightened will be liberated.”