The Object-Aspects of the Internal Six Sense Objects and the External Six Sense Objects

The six sense objects are divided into inner sense-object aspects and outer sense-object aspects. This division into inner and outer is relative to the first seven consciousnesses, and it is also spoken of with respect to sentient beings who possess supreme faculties (indriya). As far as the tathāgatagarbha is concerned, the six sense objects have no division into inner and outer; the six sense-object realms seen by the tathāgatagarbha are all seen as the structures of the seeds of the four great elements, without seeing the object-aspects (nimitta). All dharmas operate within the mind of the tathāgatagarbha and can never go outside the mind—there are no dharmas outside the mind. This is the meaning of "there are no dharmas outside the mind."