How Does the Sixth Consciousness Realize Tathagatagarbha? (Part 5)

The operation of the Tathāgatagarbha in conjunction with the five aggregates is extremely profound and subtle, occurring continuously from moment to moment. The extent to which each person realizes the operation of the Tathāgatagarbha differs, and thus their level of wisdom differs. Because the depth of wisdom of the sixth consciousness prior to realization varies, the degree and depth to which one apprehends the Tathāgatagarbha and captures its operation also differ. Some individuals, during their investigation, have a very meticulous mind, sufficient meditative stability, investigate a relatively broad scope, and delve deeply and meticulously into their inquiries; thus, their realization may be more thorough.

Conversely, with insufficient meditative stability and a comparatively coarse mind, the realization will be very shallow, and their wisdom may not be developed at all. This is especially true for those who are almost explicitly told the answer; they merely know that the Tathāgatagarbha performs a certain function but know nothing else and fundamentally cannot observe its operation. Strictly speaking, this cannot be considered true realization. A person who has genuinely realized the Tathāgatagarbha might initially be unable to observe how the Tathāgatagarbha operates in harmony with the five aggregates and the seven consciousnesses. However, they will immediately begin to contemplate and organize their understanding, especially when guided by someone with deep and subtle wisdom who has traversed the path before. They will then observe the harmonious operation of the Tathāgatagarbha with the five aggregates and seven consciousnesses, coming to know some details of its functioning. Thereafter, the wisdom of observation will quickly become fully developed.

Some individuals, after realization, may reach the state of the firm barrier or even pass through the three barriers; such people are exceedingly rare and difficult to encounter. Some individuals, upon realization, are only at the seventh bhūmi (ground), having realized only a small, fragmented aspect—a small piece—unable to connect the operations of the Tathāgatagarbha at all. Then, individuals with deeper wisdom can connect all the functions performed by the Tathāgatagarbha. At the six sense bases (not limited to the eye and ear bases), they know exactly how the Tathāgatagarbha functions and how each simple event is specifically accomplished.

Later, they become able to know the continuous functional roles of the Tathāgatagarbha regarding the five aggregates and the twelve sense fields, understanding more of the detailed content. Ultimately, they progress from knowing only the initial, superficial functions of the Tathāgatagarbha to being able to observe the deeper, subtler functions it performs. Finally, with deeper wisdom, after passing the firm barrier, they become able to observe the operation of the mental factors (caittas) of the Tathāgatagarbha mind. Prior to this, it is fundamentally unobservable, as this belongs to a relatively profound and subtle realm of wisdom. When you realize and can observe the operation of the mental factors of the Tathāgatagarbha mind, you will have already become a Bodhisattva on the grounds (bhūmis). Regarding the wisdom of observing the Tathāgatagarbha, there are differences in depth, shallowness, breadth, and narrowness. The degree of wisdom realized concerning the Tathāgatagarbha differs, and thus the resultant stage within the Mahāyāna also differs.