The Harmonious Operation of the Three Transforming Consciousnesses

Pure great elements (mahābhūta) have the aspect of generation and can generate material form (rūpa); material form is generated by the tathāgatagarbha, arising in accordance with sentient beings' karmic conditions, undergoing arising, ceasing, and change. Specifically, it is still the result of the combined functioning of the three transforming consciousnesses; it is not determined entirely by the karmic seeds within the tathāgatagarbha—there are also acquired factors, and acquired factors cannot be separated from the manas and the mind consciousness. For example, if the mind consciousness lives in the world and finds everything unsatisfactory, it will feel that the world is utterly tedious. Once the manas knows this, it may develop the thought of not wanting to live, and may then find a way to commit suicide. If the mind consciousness does not care about the physical body, the manas will decide not to strengthen its own nutrition, and thus the physical body will become weak and frail. The mental intentions of the manas and the mind consciousness can direct everything and change everything; when our power of intention is strong, we can also change external things.