Does the Tathāgatagarbha Have a Self-Authenticating Aspect?

For ordinary beings, the Tathāgatagarbha lacks the function of introspecting itself, therefore it does not possess the self-witnessing portion. The self-witnessing portion is that which can prove its own existence, perceive its own being and functioning. The mind capable of perceiving its own existence is a mind possessing self-identity; it is the mind that recognizes itself, the mind capable of self-verifying its own existence.

The conscious mind can observe the dharmas (mental objects), perceive external realms, observe the five sense consciousnesses and the seventh consciousness, and after realizing the mind (attaining enlightenment), it can observe the Tathāgatagarbha. The conscious mind can also observe itself; thus, it not only possesses the self-verifying portion but also the self-witnessing portion. It can be aware that it is cognizing the realm of dharmas, perceive its own operational state, and discern its own mental activities. However, the true awareness Tathāgatagarbha lacks self-identity; it is a mind without selfhood. It never considers itself to be real, does not perceive its own existence, does not act as a sovereign, and does not observe the six sense objects. Therefore, within the six sense objects, the Tathāgatagarbha lacks both the self-verifying portion and the self-witnessing portion. Because it is unaware of the six sense objects, it does not generate thoughts or mental fluctuations towards external realms; it has no ideas, no views, is pure and undefiled, without afflictions or habitual tendencies, and without ignorance.

After realizing the mind and awakening to the Way, as wisdom increases, one will observe that both the seventh consciousness and the Tathāgatagarbha possess a self-witnessing portion, yet they do not introspect themselves within the realm of the six sense objects. The general principle in studying the Mahayana teachings is that the Tathāgatagarbha is not a mundane mind within the five aggregates and eighteen elements; it is a mind without self-identity, which does not recognize the existence of self or what belongs to self. In contrast, the seven consciousnesses all possess self-identity, always speaking of "I am like this" or "I am that," always speaking of "I" and "mine," all possessing the notions of self and what belongs to self.