Having the Mental Factor of Volition Does Not Imply Having the Nature of Mastery

Although the tathāgatagarbha can discern karmic seeds, knows whether karmic seeds have ripened, and knows when karmic seeds should be brought into manifestation to actualize karmic retribution, this function of the tathāgatagarbha operates spontaneously and naturally — it is a principle that has always been so. It is not that He insists on taking charge to actualize karmic retribution. When causes and conditions present themselves, He necessarily accords with them and never goes against them; yet no matter what, His mind remains unchanged, suchness is immovable (tathatā-acalita) — He is forever a person with nothing to do, with not a speck of dust falling into His mind.

Although the tathāgatagarbha has the mental factor of volition (cetanā) and can make decisions, being able to make decisions does not mean being able to take charge. This is because the first five consciousnesses also have the mental factor of volition and can also make decisions, but they cannot take charge — they can only follow instructions. The so-called decision means the mind resolves upon the dharmas it contacts and knows, operating those dharmas out and processing the dharmas it has discerned. This is the scope of each consciousness's proper function and does not represent the capacity to take charge. If it did represent the capacity to take charge, sentient beings would have eight consciousnesses each taking charge, checking and interfering with one another — would they not have long since gone mad?