How to Realize Tathāgatagarbha

To discover the functioning of the tathāgatagarbha, the more specific the better. The most specific and most obvious functioning is the functional operation of the aggregate of consciousness, along with feeling, perception, and volitional formations, that gives birth to the six consciousnesses. The operation by which the tathāgatagarbha outputs the seeds of the four great elements into the physical body cannot be observed by anyone—perhaps except by the Buddha. As for the operation of the many tathāgatagarbhas outputting the seeds of the four great elements in insentient objects, that is even less observable. So how can one realize one's own tathāgatagarbha, or realize the tathāgatagarbha of a single sentient being?

The tathāgatagarbha has a perceiving-aspect (darśana-bhāga) and can see all dharmas. If it could not see all dharmas, He could not manifest, uphold, and transform all dharmas. We only need to engage in contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) to examine what differences there are between His perceiving-aspect and the seventh consciousness, what differences there are with the sixth consciousness, and what differences there are with the five consciousnesses—that is enough. Only by starting our contemplative practice and deliberation (manasikāra/manana) from here is there a way out, so that we can find the answer we seek. Since the tathāgatagarbha can discern the faculties, the body, and the material world—all of which belong to material sense-objects (rūpa-viṣaya), and this also includes sound, smell, taste, touch, and dharma—and since it discerns all eighteen realms, then what content does He discern, and how does He discern it? This is the fundamental point of entry. All dharmas are manifested by the tathāgatagarbha; before He manifests them, He must first see and discern them in order to manifest them—it is impossible for Him to blindly manifest some dharma. What, then, is the manner and content of His seeing, and how does it operate? This is the key and the focal point.