Why Is Tathāgatagarbha Anātman While Manas Has Ātman?

The Tathagatagarbha is inherently selfless. Why is it selfless? Analyzing this question clearly is greatly beneficial for severing the view of self. The term "analyzing" is used because without realizing the Tathagatagarbha, one cannot directly observe its operation or perceive its mental nature and awareness in the functioning of all dharmas. However, the selflessness of the Tathagatagarbha's nature must have its cause, just as the seventh consciousness having a sense of self also has its reason. The reason is that the seventh consciousness, upon encountering any dharma, immediately falls into the appearances of worldly phenomena, perceiving their functions and preferences—this is ignorance. In contrast, the Tathagatagarbha is free from ignorance; it perceives all dharmas without seeing their worldly appearances or their worldly merits and faults, thus being selfless and desireless. So, what should the seventh consciousness do to sever the view of self?

The methods of practice are laid out plainly enough; it is simply that individuals lack the sufficient conditions and causes to apply them specifically, hence they cannot proceed and feel there is no starting point. For example, I always think about focusing more on self-cultivation to further improve myself, but thinking about it for two years has been useless, and even two more years won't make it happen. The conditions are insufficient; I cannot let go of the work of propagating the Dharma, and there are many concerns on my mind. Unlike before, when being single meant feeding oneself was feeding the whole family, free to do as one pleased—now it’s impossible, with too many burdens. Others are the same, each with their own difficulties, unable to disentangle themselves from affairs to concentrate wholeheartedly on continuous effort. Like the water in this kettle, lukewarm and never coming to a boil. Insufficient conditions and causes are nothing but a lack of merit, resulting in the inability to advance in precepts, concentration, and wisdom. Therefore, cultivating merit remains extremely important. Merit is one’s provisions and supplies for the path. "Before the troops move, the provisions must go first." Many lack sufficient provisions, or even have none at all—how, then, can one make diligent efforts?