How to Remove the Obscuration of True Suchness Self-Nature by the Five Aggregates and the Seven Consciousnesses

For example, withered flowers and withered leaves conceal the lovely, vibrant blossoms within; to reveal the blossoms' splendor and fragrance, one must remove the withered flowers and strip away the decayed leaves—only then can the beautiful blossoms leap vividly before the eyes. Likewise, the withered flowers and decayed leaves of the five aggregates (pañcaskandha) are precisely what conceal the self-nature of suchness (tathatā). We too must push aside the obstructions of the five aggregates and remove the covering of the seven consciousnesses; then the nature of suchness will radiate great light. This requires us to clearly recognize the illusory nature of the five aggregates and the falsity of the seven consciousnesses, not taking these false dharmas as real. Then the true self will gradually come to the fore and leap into the mind. From then on, one recognizes the master, returns home to sit in stability, and all under heaven is at peace. In studying Buddhism, one must clearly discern the natures of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses, and clearly discern the nature of the tathāgatagarbha; then cultivate meditative concentration (samādhi), and within concentration engage in contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) on the falsity of the deluded mind and on the functioning of the true mind—thereby one can directly realize suchness.