How to Transfer Reliance to Tathāgatagarbha

Turning to rely on the tathāgatagarbha means that all physical, verbal, and mental actions, as well as the nature of the mind of the body of five aggregates, must take refuge in the tathāgatagarbha and resemble the tathāgatagarbha. It involves transforming the defiled nature, afflictive nature, and ignorant nature of the body of five aggregates into the pure, selfless nature of the tathāgatagarbha. How is the tathāgatagarbha pure? For example, the tathāgatagarbha is free from afflictions such as greed; it does not crave wealth, sensual pleasures, fame, food, or sleep. It does not open its eyes covetously at the sight of money, nor does it scheme to earn, swindle, or extort money. The body of five aggregates and the seven consciousnesses must likewise be so. It does not stir at the sight of form, whether male or female, beautiful or ugly, remaining unmoved like the wind passing through a cluster of flowers without a single leaf clinging to it. The body of five aggregates must also be so.

It does not crave fame, does not seek renown, is not fond of showing off, does not seek attention, does not enjoy flattery or reverence, and remains obscure. The body of five aggregates must likewise be so. In daily life, the tathāgatagarbha is neither extravagant nor attached to necessities such as food, drink, excretion, walking, standing, sitting, lying down, or any other means of sustenance; it uses them without attachment. The body of five aggregates must therefore know contentment, avoid extravagance and waste, and refrain from comparison or ostentation. The tathāgatagarbha never sleeps nor enjoys indulgence. The body of five aggregates must therefore not crave comfortable sleep, not pursue leisure and ease, and must abandon the covering of sleep. If one fails to achieve these, one has not taken refuge in the tathāgatagarbha, and even the desire to turn and rely on it will not succeed.