The Relationship Between the Manas and the Tathāgatagarbha

The primary function of the manas is its sovereign nature—having the final say—and no one can do anything about this. The function of the tathāgatagarbha is naturally so/intrinsically so: only when there are seeds and resources can it transform, create, and sustain all dharmas. Whenever the manas has a thought, the tathāgatagarbha does its utmost to accommodate it. This is precisely what demonstrates the manas's powerful self-nature and sovereign nature, as well as the tathāgatagarbha's accord with conditions and its selfless nature. The manas and the tathāgatagarbha are like a shadow following a form. Study more of the Consciousness-Only dharma, so that in the future, when you awaken, your awakening can be extremely deep and thorough, reaching down to the very root. If the dharma you study is shallow, your awakening will be shallow as well. If you possess the dhyāna of the first jhāna, then perhaps upon awakening you might even reach the stage of the ten practices or the stage of the ten dedications.