How to Realize the Tathagatagarbha

The Tathāgatagarbha is a formless and shapeless mental dharma, not a material dharma; therefore, it cannot be found within material dharmas. The eyes can never perceive the Tathāgatagarbha. In reality, we cannot see the Tathāgatagarbha, nor can we sense it, smell it, hear it, or conceive of it. Only through Chan meditation can one realize the functional role of the Tathāgatagarbha. To realize the Tathāgatagarbha, one must use the isolated conscious mind and the mental faculty to investigate, only then can one discover the formless and shapeless operational appearance of the Tathāgatagarbha.

Discovering the operation of the Tathāgatagarbha requires as much specificity as possible; the more specific, the deeper and subtler the wisdom. The most concrete and obvious operation of the Tathāgatagarbha is its function of giving rise to the sensations, perceptions, formations, and consciousness of the six consciousnesses. The operation of the Tathāgatagarbha outputting the four great elements within the physical body is likely imperceptible to anyone except the Buddha. In inanimate objects, the operation of numerous Tathāgatagarbhas outputting the four great elements is even more imperceptible. So, how can one realize one’s own Tathāgatagarbha, or the Tathāgatagarbha of a single sentient being? The Tathāgatagarbha possesses a seeing aspect that can perceive all dharmas. If it could not perceive all dharmas, it would be unable to manifest, sustain, and alter all dharmas. We need only observe and discern how its seeing aspect differs from the seventh consciousness, how it differs from the sixth consciousness, and how it differs from the five consciousnesses. It is by starting from this point of observation, discernment, and contemplation that one can find a way out and discover the answers one seeks.

Since the Tathāgatagarbha cognizes the physical body and the material world—all of which belong to the realm of form, including sound, smell, taste, touch, and mental objects, cognizing all eighteen elements—then what content does it cognize, and how does it cognize? This is the fundamental starting point for realizing the wisdom of seeds through cognition-only. All dharmas are manifestations of the Tathāgatagarbha. Before manifesting them, it must see and cognize them; it cannot blindly manifest any dharma. The key and crucial point for attaining the wisdom of seeds through cognition-only lies in understanding how it sees, what content it sees, and how it operates.