The Presence of Cetana Does Not Imply Autonomous Agency

Although the Tathāgatagarbha can discern karmic seeds, know whether they have ripened, and know when to allow them to manifest and bring about karmic retribution, this function of the Tathāgatagarbha operates spontaneously and naturally, as an inherent principle. It is not that it deliberately chooses to bring about retribution; when conditions arise, it necessarily complies with them without resistance. Yet, no matter what, its mind remains unchanged, unmoving like thusness, forever like one free from affairs, with not a speck of dust settling in it.

Although the Tathāgatagarbha possesses the mental factor of volition (cetanā) and can make decisions, the ability to decide does not equate to the ability to be the master. This is because the first five consciousnesses also possess the mental factor of volition and can make decisions, yet they cannot be the master; they can only follow commands. The so-called "decision" refers to resolving upon the dharmas contacted and known, carrying out the dharmas, and processing the dharmas it discerns. This falls within the scope of each consciousness's inherent functions and does not represent mastery. If it represented mastery, sentient beings would have eight master consciousnesses, mutually restraining and interfering with each other—would they not have gone mad long ago?