Tathagatagarbha Is Not the Panacea Dharma

Question: Genuine great supernatural powers require realization of the Tathāgatagarbha. Only by being able to personally utilize the wondrous functions of the Tathāgatagarbha consciousness can one possess genuine great supernatural powers, which is at least the state of an Arhat or above. In principle, the minor supernatural powers of ordinary sentient beings should also be wondrous functions of the Tathāgatagarbha. However, since they have not yet realized the Tathāgatagarbha, they should not possess its wondrous functions. So, where do these minor supernatural powers come from? Is it appropriate to say that the Tathāgatagarbha is like a treasure trove, where one can utilize as much as one has developed, with great supernatural powers representing one hundred percent development of the Tathāgatagarbha, and minor supernatural powers representing only a small portion being developed?

Answer: All sentient beings are constantly utilizing the Tathāgatagarbha at all times; there is not one who does not use it, including beings like bacteria and ants. The difference is that realized beings use it knowingly, while unrealized sentient beings use it unknowingly. In reality, it is all passive use; they cannot help but use it, as it is the Tathāgatagarbha actively assisting. Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and wise individuals use it skillfully, while those with defiled minds use it unskillfully. However, whether used skillfully or unskillfully, it is the Tathāgatagarbha actively cooperating with the functions arising from the manas (intellect) and the five aggregates. If the manas and the five aggregates are virtuous, the Tathāgatagarbha cooperates in creating virtuous dharmas; if the manas and the five aggregates are unvirtuous, the Tathāgatagarbha conditionally creates unvirtuous dharmas. The key lies in the manas and the karmic seeds. Therefore, spiritual cultivation is primarily about cultivating the manas well and planting virtuous seeds, so that the Tathāgatagarbha will conditionally create virtuous dharmas. We need only focus on cultivation; there is no need to concern ourselves with how to use the Tathāgatagarbha. By using the manas well, we use the Tathāgatagarbha well.

Generally speaking, supernatural powers refer to the five types: divine eye, divine ear, supernatural feet (or miraculous mobility), knowledge of others' minds, and knowledge of past lives. These all arise from the four dhyānas and eight samādhis. Possession by spirits or similar phenomena do not count as supernatural powers. The functional role of the Tathāgatagarbha can be provisionally termed wondrous supernatural functions. When the mental capacity and wisdom of the sentient being's manas open up, samādhi arises, and supernatural powers or great supernatural powers will manifest. This is the Tathāgatagarbha revealing itself in accordance with the manas. Therefore, cultivation primarily focuses on cultivating the manas, and first and foremost, cultivating consciousness (vijñāna).

General supernatural powers are the result of cultivating samādhi. Whether one has realized the Tathāgatagarbha or not, supernatural powers belong to the realm of worldly dharmas, achieved through the study and attainment of samādhi. For matters pertaining to worldly dharmas, there is no need to involve the Tathāgatagarbha. For example, if one wants to master a skill, one need only diligently study that skill; invoking the Tathāgatagarbha is of no use. If one wants to learn to cook well, invoking the Tathāgatagarbha is also useless and may even hinder progress. Even regarding the emptiness of the Śrāvakayāna or the emptiness of non-Buddhist paths, invoking the Tathāgatagarbha is futile; it is unnecessary to connect everything to the Tathāgatagarbha. However, the great supernatural powers of ground-level Bodhisattvas are indeed related to the realization of the Tathāgatagarbha. That is the union of samādhi and great wisdom; lacking either one, the great supernatural powers will not manifest.