How to Transform the Basis as Tathāgatagarbha?

The transformation of the basis as tathāgatagarbha means that all bodily, verbal, and mental actions and the mental nature of the five-aggregate body must take refuge in the tathāgatagarbha and become similar to the tathāgatagarbha, transforming the defiled, afflictive, and ignorant nature of the five-aggregate body into the pure and selfless nature of the tathāgatagarbha. How is the tathāgatagarbha pure? For example, the tathāgatagarbha has no affliction such as greed; it does not crave wealth, sensual pleasures, fame, food, or sleep; its eyes do not light up at the sight of money, and it will not scheme to earn, deceive, or grab money — the five-aggregate body and the seven consciousnesses must also be like this. When seeing forms, it gives rise to no thoughts; whether male or female beauty, whether attractive or ugly appearance, it remains unmoved, like passing through a grove of wind-blown flowers without a single petal clinging to one's body — the five-aggregate body must also be like this.

Not craving fame, not fishing for renown, not liking to show off, not being ostentatious, not delighting in flattery and veneration, remaining obscure and unknown — the five-aggregate body must also be like this. In daily life, the tathāgatagarbha, with regard to eating, drinking, and other livelihood necessities, is neither extravagant nor covetous, and experiences them without attachment; the five-aggregate body must therefore know contentment well, not being extravagant or wasteful, not comparing or putting on airs. The tathāgatagarbha never sleeps and does not delight in enjoyment; the five-aggregate body must therefore not crave the comfort of sleep, not pursue leisure and ease, and must discard the hindrance of sloth and torpor. If one cannot accomplish these, then one has not taken refuge in the tathāgatagarbha, and even if one wishes to transform the basis (āśraya-parāvṛtti), it will not succeed.