The Seed Function of Tathāgatagarbha Can Only Be Directly Perceived by Bodhisattvas on the Bhūmis

All dharmas of the five aggregates and eighteen realms are of the nature of Tathagatagarbha. This principle requires realization of Tathagatagarbha through contemplative practice before one can gradually comprehend it thoroughly. If one merely imagines with the conscious mind that there exists a Tathagatagarbha performing certain functions or roles, one will be unable to observe the functioning of Tathagatagarbha or perceive the Tathagatagarbha nature inherent in the five aggregates and eighteen realms. Understanding ultimately remains understanding, and imagination remains mere imagination—neither constitutes actual realization. How Tathagatagarbha records and stores seeds, and how it actualizes cause and effect, belong to the wisdom of consciousness-only (vijñapti-mātratā-jñāna), which can be directly observed only by bodhisattvas on the grounds (bhūmi). The seed-functioning of Tathagatagarbha, its functioning in manifesting all phenomena of the world, and all seed-functioning activities of Tathagatagarbha all fall within the scope of the wisdom of consciousness-only, which can be directly observed solely by bodhisattvas on the grounds. Bodhisattvas before the grounds, due to heavy afflictions and insufficient meditative concentration, lack sufficient wisdom; since their sixth and seventh consciousnesses have not been transformed into wisdom, they lack the capacity to observe these profoundly subtle Dharma principles. What is understood cannot substitute for direct observation.