What Exactly Are Conditioned Phenomena?

The three thousand great chiliocosms manifested by all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are conditioned phenomena. What exactly are they? Or are they nothing at all? These conditioned phenomena are generated from the formless and markless seeds within the Tathagatagarbha. They are empty and illusory transformations, with no substantial existence of dharma. Therefore, we cannot say what these conditioned phenomena are. Yet neither can we say they are nothing at all, for these conditioned phenomena exist in their phenomenal aspect and possess corresponding conventional functions within the mundane realm. Although these functions are also illusory manifestations—being, in reality, the functions of the Tathagatagarbha—they nonetheless genuinely function and produce effects. This is precisely why they are called conditioned phenomena; otherwise, they would be unconditioned phenomena.

The reason conditioned phenomena are called "conditioned" is precisely because they possess the phenomenal appearances and functions within the conventional realm. Thus, we assign names to these conditioned phenomena, distinguishing and grasping them accordingly. The wise understand the true nature of these conditioned phenomena with perfect clarity. Yet they continue to use them freely, without obstruction or dissonance, their minds at ease—free from greed, aversion, or bias. In all their actions, they neither violate the ultimate truth nor contradict the conventional truth. With great wisdom, they undertake the Bodhisattva’s work of benefiting sentient beings.