The Function of the Tathāgatagarbha Dharma View

When the six consciousnesses are absent, other dharmas do not cease; as long as dharmas exist, the Tathagatagarbha perceives them. Is the seventh consciousness, manas, the seeing aspect of the Tathagatagarbha? Manas is not the seeing aspect of the Tathagatagarbha. Even in the absence of manas, the Tathagatagarbha still perceives karmic seeds. The Tathagatagarbha perceives more dharmas than manas does; dharmas unseen by manas are nonetheless perceived individually by the Tathagatagarbha. Within the nirvana without remainder, the Tathagatagarbha still perceives dharmas and seeds, while the five universal mental factors operate as usual. Manas and the "eye" of the Tathagatagarbha differ; therefore, the appearances they perceive are distinct—one perceives the characteristics of worldly dharmas, while the other perceives characteristics beyond the worldly.