The Freedom of Tathagatagarbha and the Lack of Freedom of the Seventh Consciousness

How is the Tathagatagarbha free? It lacks the six sense faculties and does not engage with the six dusts (objects of the senses). Therefore, it does not give rise to any mental formations, is free from the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion, and does not create karmic actions. Consequently, it does not undergo the cycle of birth and death driven by karmic actions. It has no eyes and does not see forms; thus, it is not deluded by forms, not inverted regarding forms, and not bound by forms. Therefore, it is free. Facing any good thing or treasure, it does not crave; it does not look at beautiful sights or ugly sights, and thus does not move or turn according to sights. Regarding sights, it is free. Whether praised or reviled, it has no ears to hear, does not give rise to the afflictions of greed, hatred, or delusion, and thus regarding sounds, it is free. It is free regarding form (sight), free regarding sound, and free regarding all six dusts: form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and dharmas (mental objects). Because it lacks eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind, and does not engage with the six dusts, it does not give rise to thoughts or mental movements; regarding the six dusts, it remains unmoved.

Then, is the seventh consciousness mind of us sentient beings free regarding the six dusts? It is not free. When the eye sees a form, it is bound by that form; when the ear hears a sound, it is bound by that sound; the nose smelling scents, the tongue tasting flavors, the body feeling touches—all are bound. The seventh consciousness mind cannot detach from these forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and dharmas. Seeing a form, it dwells on the form; hearing a sound, it dwells on the sound; smelling a scent, it dwells on the scent; tasting a flavor, it dwells on the flavor; feeling a touch, it dwells on the touch; cognizing a dharma, it dwells on the dharma. The Tathagatagarbha does not see, hear, sense, or know these dharmas. It is not stained, not bound, not inverted; therefore, it is free.

This passage explains the intrinsic nature of the Tathagatagarbha. After enlightenment, based on its nature, one can transfer and rely upon the Tathagatagarbha. Before enlightenment, if one knows these characteristics of the Tathagatagarbha, at the very moment of bodily, verbal, and mental actions, one can reflect on what the Tathagatagarbha's nature is like, how pure it is, and thereby enable oneself to follow and learn from it. When encountering the six dusts, one should also refrain from manifesting the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion and should also purify oneself. Although this is not true transfer and reliance, it still has great effect. By constantly practicing this way, the mind can transform.