The Six Dust Realms Are Manifestations of the Tathagatagarbha

Although closing the eyes prevents sight and stopping the ears prevents hearing, the objects of the six dusts are not manifested by the five, six, or seven consciousnesses; they are all illusory manifestations of the Tathagatagarbha. The five, six, and seven consciousnesses can only manifest the appearances transformed by the Tathagatagarbha within the mind; they cannot create appearances themselves. Moreover, the manifestation of appearances depends on specific conditions. When conditions are not met, no appearance arises in the mind.

The eye consciousness cannot see a flower because closing the eyes eliminates light; without light, the eye consciousness cannot perceive the luminous appearance of the flower, though it can perceive lightless darkness. This does not apply if cultivation breaks through the realm of the form aggregate. Similarly, the ear consciousness cannot hear a sound because the sound dust does not enter the ear; thus, the ear consciousness cannot perceive sounds transmitted from outside, though it can hear the buzzing within the ears.

For the Tathagatagarbha to transform all appearances, it relies not only on karmic seeds but also on various conditions, including the mental factors of the six and seven consciousnesses, as well as the intentions and thoughts of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses. Only then do the seven consciousnesses collaborate with the Tathagatagarbha to manifest appearances, enabling the six consciousnesses to gain awareness.