Should Ordinary People Cling to Tathagatagarbha?

Question: Does deeply believing in the existence of a Tathagatagarbha count as a subtle form of clinging to dharmas? That is, while acknowledging that the Tathagata is formless and imageless, one still clings to this formless and imageless concept. Some might say: I only use such a term out of necessity for expression; in reality, there is no name, nor is there "a nameless image."

Answer: Regarding the issues of clinging to self (ātma-grāha) and clinging to dharmas (dharma-grāha), there is no need to consider them for now. Clinging to self can only be eradicated by Arhats of the fourth fruition (caturtha-phala). Ordinary beings are still very far from attaining the fourth fruition; even overcoming the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi) is extremely difficult, so how can one speak of eradicating clinging to self? Especially clinging to dharmas, that can only be gradually eliminated by Bodhisattvas on the bhūmis (grounds). Without realizing the mind (enlightenment) and attaining fruition, it is fundamentally impossible to eradicate clinging to dharmas. The distance between an ordinary being and a Bodhisattva on the bhūmis spans almost an immeasurable kalpa (aeon). Discussing the eradication of clinging to dharmas this early is of no practical benefit.

Before breaking through the prison barrier (牢关), clinging to Tathagatagarbha is normal and even appropriate. After all, clinging to Tathagatagarbha is far purer than clinging to the five aggregates (pañca-skandha). Therefore, it is better to cling to Tathagatagarbha. Only after realizing Tathagatagarbha can one gradually cease clinging to it. Since Tathagatagarbha has not yet been realized now, one cannot even speak of clinging to it. Merely being able to recognize Tathagatagarbha as true is already very good. Tathagatagarbha itself lacks self-nature (ātman), yet the sixth and seventh consciousnesses regard it as the true self. Before breaking through the prison barrier, this is a good sign, normal, and appropriate.

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