The Definition of Seeds

Seeds have the aspect of generation and manifestation, just like the seeds of flowers, grass, and trees: only with these seeds can they take root and sprout, growing into flowers, grass, and trees. Seeds are the root of the formation of all dharmas, or may be called the cause, or the elements; they are divided into intrinsically existing seeds and the seeds of karmic actions. Seeds are formless and without appearance; only formless and appearanceless dharmas can exist within the formless and appearanceless tathāgatagarbha. The tathāgatagarbha, whose self-nature is without appearance, cannot store dharmas that have form and appearance. When the tathāgatagarbha encounters conditions, in accordance with karmic seeds, it can output seeds, thereby giving rise to the myriad things and dharmas, and the world of the three realms.