How to Remove the Obstruction of the Five Aggregates and Seven Consciousnesses to the Self-Nature of True Suchness

For example, withered flowers and withered leaves obscure the beautiful, vibrant fresh blossoms within; in order to reveal the splendor and fragrance of the fresh flowers, one must remove the withered flowers and strip away the decayed leaves, and only then can the beautiful blossoms leap vividly before one's eyes. Likewise, the withered flowers and decayed leaves of the five aggregates (pañca-skandha) are precisely what obscure the true suchness of self-nature (tathatā). We must also push aside the obstructions of the five aggregates and remove the covering of the seven consciousnesses, and then the nature of true suchness will radiate great light. This requires us to clearly recognize the illusory nature of the five aggregates and the false nature of the seven consciousnesses, not taking these false dharmas as real; then the true self will gradually come to the fore and leap forth into the mind. From then on, one will recognize the master of the house, return home and sit in peace, and all under heaven will be at peace. In studying Buddhism, one must clearly recognize the essential natures of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses, and clearly recognize the essential nature of the tathāgatagarbha; then cultivate meditative concentration (samādhi), and within concentration engage in contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) on the falsity of the deluded mind and on the places where the true mind functions—then one can personally realize true suchness.