The Discernment of Tathāgatagarbha Differs from That of the Seven Consciousnesses

All dharmas are the manifestation aspects of the tathāgatagarbha, born from and perceived by the tathāgatagarbha. This discernment differs from the discernment of the seven consciousnesses; the content and nature of these two types of discernment are distinct and should not be conflated.

Every minute change occurring in the body results from the tathāgatagarbha utilizing the seeds of the four great elements to effect alterations. Changes in the body, in turn, influence changes in mental activities, as the tathāgatagarbha modifies both the physical form and mental activities based on conditions arising from internal and external sources, sometimes guided by karmic seeds. The sensory perceptions of body consciousness relate to temperature, warmth, qi-blood, and the nervous system, while the sensory perceptions of eye consciousness relate to brightness and color. Eye discomfort arises from brightness, not from heat.