The Definition of Seed

Seeds have the meaning of generation and manifestation. It is like the seeds of flowers, grass, and trees: only with these seeds can they take root and sprout, growing into flowers, grass, and trees. Seeds are the root from which all dharmas are formed, or they may be called causes, or elements; they are divided into inherently existing seeds and seeds created by karmic actions. Seeds are formless and without marks; only formless and unmarked dharmas can exist within the formless and unmarked tathāgatagarbha. The tathāgatagarbha, whose self-nature is without marks, cannot store dharmas that have form and marks. When the tathāgatagarbha encounters conditions, in accordance with karmic seeds it can output seeds, thereby giving rise to the myriad things and dharmas, and the world of the three realms.