All Dharmas Are Propelled Forth by the Manas

As long as a dharma can be manifested by the tathāgatagarbha, the manas, relying on the tathāgatagarbha, can perceive and discern it; this is called the manas's silent capacity. After the manas discerns, if it grasps, it then gives rise to the volitional mental factor (cetanā), and the tathāgatagarbha, in accordance with this, further transforms the sense faculties, the material world, or the six consciousnesses. All dharmas manifested by the tathāgatagarbha are driven forth from behind by the manas, including the impulsion of karmic seeds and karmic power; the manas corresponds with karmic seeds and karmic power, its mental activities conform to the karmic seeds, and the karmic seeds were all instigated and created by Him, so ultimately all dharmas are driven forth by the manas.

The physical body is also grasped and controlled by the manas; it depends on how great the manas's capacity to control it is. The lifespan of the physical body on the one hand involves the matter of karmic seeds, and on the other hand involves the matters of meditative concentration (samādhi) and merit. When one possesses meditative concentration, the mental power of the manas is extremely great, and the mental power of the mind consciousness is also great, and thus one can transform body, mind, and world. Meditative concentration also carries the merit of samādhi and can likewise transform karmic seeds. When the power of concentration is strong, the manas's and the mind consciousness's capacity to control the physical body is enhanced; the manas can control the physical body at will—wishing to die, one dies immediately; wishing to live, one can live on for decades, centuries, or even a thousand years—the lifespan is decided by the manas. Because the karmic seeds have been transformed and merit has also been cultivated, the manas can then take charge and decide regarding the temporary matter of birth and death.