The Pariniṣpanna-svabhāva of Tathāgatagarbha

Nature refers to the inherent quality, the essential principle of phenomena. Without the character "性" (xing, nature), it represents the phenomena themselves. The perfectly accomplished nature of the Tathagatagarbha refers to the Tathagatagarbha possessing the meritorious nature capable of perfectly accomplishing all dharmas, enabling all dharmas to manifest as they truly are, to exist as they fundamentally are. This functional nature of the Tathagatagarbha is not achieved through the five aggregates or the seven consciousnesses; the Tathagatagarbha inherently possesses this nature, nor does it require later cultivation to accomplish it. All dharmas apart from the Tathagatagarbha are perfectly accomplished and brought forth by the Tathagatagarbha using the seeds within itself. They all bear the attributes of the Tathagatagarbha and are all manifestations arising from the perfectly accomplished nature of the Tathagatagarbha.

Sentient beings in the three evil destinies also all possess the perfectly accomplished nature of the Tathagatagarbha; they are all accomplished and manifested by the perfectly accomplished nature of the Tathagatagarbha. If this were not the case, there would be no three evil destinies, nor would there be sentient beings. The six consciousnesses and the five sense faculties with their six objects possess the nature of dependence on others; they arise dependent on other dharmas, they do not exist autonomously, nor can they exist independently. The seventh consciousness, the mental faculty, possesses the universally discriminating nature; it perceives dharmas and clings to them, it is the conscious mind characterized by universal discrimination.