What Exactly Are Conditioned Phenomena?

All conditioned phenomena are illusory appearances conjured by the Tathagatagarbha. To fully communicate and express, humans assign corresponding names to these dharmic appearances. Differentiation is possible even without names, but without them, communication among sentient beings becomes inconvenient, making it unclear what each refers to. Animals never assign names to conditioned phenomena yet still differentiate; however, they cannot communicate with each other, only intuit without verbal expression.

Through studying the Dharma and practicing, by contemplating and observing names and appearances according to principle, one attains true wisdom. This enables genuine differentiation and understanding of the essential meaning of appearances and names, leading to a profound realization of the illusory and unreal nature of conditioned phenomena. The mind then ceases to be disturbed by conditioned phenomena and becomes immovable like Suchness (Tathata). Thus, the consciousness of the seventh vijnana progressively draws closer to Suchness, increasingly resembling it, until ultimately the mind becomes as pure as Suchness, completing the practice.

The trichiliocosm manifested by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is conditioned phenomena. What exactly is it, or is it nothing at all? These conditioned phenomena are all generated from the formless, signless seeds within the Tathagatagarbha. They are empty and illusory, lacking any substantial existence. Therefore, one cannot say what these conditioned phenomena are. Yet, one also cannot say they are nothing at all, because these conditioned phenomena still exist in appearance and possess corresponding illusory functions within conventional truth. Although these functions are also illusory and are ultimately the function of the Tathagatagarbha, they indeed have practical effects. This is precisely why they are called "conditioned phenomena" (samskrta-dharma); otherwise, they would be "unconditioned phenomena" (asamskrta-dharma).

The reason conditioned phenomena are called "conditioned" is precisely because they possess dharmic appearances and functions within the conventional realm. Therefore, these conditioned appearances are designated as "such-and-such" to facilitate differentiation and grasping. The wise understand the true nature of these conditioned phenomena perfectly clearly. Although they still need to use these conditioned phenomena, they do so without any hindrance or disharmony. Their minds are at ease, free from greed and hatred, and without bias or attachment. All their actions neither violate the ultimate truth (paramartha-satya) nor the conventional truth (samvrti-satya). They undertake the Bodhisattva's work of benefiting living beings with great wisdom.