The Presence of Cetana Does Not Imply Autonomous Agency

The Tathāgatagarbha, though capable of discerning karmic seeds, knowing whether they are ripe, and knowing when to manifest them to actualize karmic results, functions spontaneously and naturally. This is its inherent principle, not an act of deliberate control to bring about karmic fruition. When conditions arise, it necessarily complies with them, never opposing them. Yet, regardless of circumstances, its mind remains unchanged—unmoved and undisturbed, eternally like an unconcerned observer, with not a speck of dust settling in it.

Although the Tathāgatagarbha possesses the mental factor of volition (cetanā) and can make decisions, the ability to decide does not equate to the ability to exercise autonomous control. The first five consciousnesses also possess the mental factor of volition and can make decisions, yet they cannot exercise autonomous control; they can only follow commands. What is termed "decision-making" refers to resolving upon the dharmas contacted or known, executing those dharmas, and processing the dharmas discerned. This falls within the scope of each consciousness's inherent functions and does not represent autonomous control. If it signified autonomous control, sentient beings would possess eight independently controlling consciousnesses, mutually constraining and interfering with one another. Wouldn't that lead to madness long ago?