Why Does Discernment Become Less Clear as the Six Dusts Recede?

Regardless of whether sentient beings possess the five physical sense faculties, the manas-indriya (mind faculty) dependent on the Tathāgatagarbha can perceive all dharmas, provided that the Tathāgatagarbha can perceive all dharmas. When the Tathāgatagarbha perceives the external six dusts (objects of the senses), it captures the subtle particles of the four fundamental elements (earth, water, fire, wind) comprising those external six dusts, instantly forming an image identical to the external six dusts. The manas-indriya is then able to perceive this image. If the five coarse sense faculties (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body) and the supramundane faculties (subtle sense bases) are present, the Tathāgatagarbha further transmits this to the five coarse sense faculties, and the manas-indriya can still perceive it. When it is transmitted to the supramundane faculties, the manas-indriya can perceive it even more clearly. From the instant the Tathāgatagarbha captures the external six dusts until it transmits the subtle particles of the four fundamental elements into the supramundane faculties, the image along this pathway is continuously arising, ceasing, and undergoing transformation. Due to the obstructive influence of the intervening medium, the quantity of the four fundamental elements and their structural arrangement are affected and undergo changes, causing the image to change. The greater the distance from the supramundane faculties, the more the image changes.

Therefore, when we see distant objects, they appear blurred and unclear. Sounds from farther away are heard as softer and less distinct. Fragrances from a greater distance are fainter. Sunlight from farther away has less heat. All these phenomena occur because the images of the six dusts are altered due to changes in the four fundamental elements caused by the obstructive influence of the intervening medium.

Because the manas-indriya can perceive the six dusts transmitted before they reach the supramundane faculties, when encountering significant and sudden sensory experiences (six dusts), the manas-indriya reacts very rapidly in advance, seemingly prepared beforehand.