The Functions of the Seven Great Seeds

The Seven Great Seeds: the earth, water, fire, wind, space, perception, and consciousness great seeds. The first five great seeds—earth, water, fire, wind, and space—are used to constitute material dharmas, while the perception and consciousness great seeds are used to constitute mental dharmas. The consciousness great seed constitutes the mental dharmas of the seven consciousnesses, while the perception great seed forms the function of the Tathāgatagarbha to perceive all dharmas. In this way, the entire five aggregates and all dharmas of the mundane world are fully equipped. Material dharmas and mental dharmas encompass all dharmas, and the Tathāgatagarbha uses the perception great seed to encompass all dharmas together, forming a complete and systematic set of worldly dharmas.