How the Sixth Consciousness Realizes the Tathāgatagarbha (IV)

We know that the tathāgatagarbha is constantly operating without interruption; it is impossible for there to be a momentary pause in which it ceases to function. He pervades all times, all aggregates, all sense bases, all elements, and all stages, pervading all dharmas. However, the "constantly" spoken of here is not yet that beginningless and endless constancy; it is only a constancy within a certain period of time. Thus, one who has awakened to the operation of the tathāgatagarbha in a single event still possesses very shallow wisdom. One must then continue investigating, opening up one's wisdom further—not only awakening to the broader operations of the tathāgatagarbha, but also awakening to some of its deeper and subtler operations.

Upon further observation, one will discover that the tathāgatagarbha is beginningless and endless, pervading all dharmas. In the five aggregates and the physical body, in all things, in all marks, in the six faculties, the twelve sense bases, and the eighteen elements, He operates in this way at all times, never having stopped, operating thus at every moment and every instant. At this level, the wisdom attained may begin to connect into a plane, or even merge into a single expanse—and this expanse can be divided into small, medium, and large expanses.

According to how broad the range of the tathāgatagarbha's operation one has realized is—that is, how large this expanse is—so deep is one's wisdom. This can be used to judge each person's degree of wisdom. The deeper the wisdom of contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā), the more likely it is that when the realization connects into a large expanse, one may reach the barrier of solidity, may even pass through it, and may possibly then attain the first bhūmi. When one first realizes the operation of the tathāgatagarbha, it is only at a certain point, in a certain place, and then it connects into a line; that can only be the seventh abode of a bodhisattva, where the wisdom is still not deep enough—yet even this is already quite remarkable.

When the sixth consciousness finds and realizes the tathāgatagarbha, it is by capturing those functions that the tathāgatagarbha performs. The wisdom initially realized is extremely shallow; perhaps in a single instant, one captures how the tathāgatagarbha operates in this way. Then, as the area captured expands somewhat and the range broadens somewhat, the realization of the tathāgatagarbha's functions gains some continuity. Finally, the depth of one's awakening may become deeper, and one can observe the operation of the tathāgatagarbha from every aspect; at that point, this person's wisdom of specific characteristics (viśeṣa-lakṣaṇa) emerges.