The Interaction Between the Human Mind and the External Environment

The Tathagatagarbha of sentient beings sharing collective karma operates collectively on plants, with the seeds of the four elements changing moment by moment, causing the plants to transform instantaneously. The particles of the four elements on plants also continuously radiate outward moment by moment. Thus, plants exert a certain influence on their surrounding environment and people; the form, sound, scent, taste, touch, and mental objects they emit can affect human health and emotions, allowing plants to be called small magnetic fields. It is a normal phenomenon that human thoughts can influence and alter plants, as the human mind can transform the material environment, precisely demonstrating the functional role of the three transformative consciousnesses. If the mental force of the manas-consciousness is strong, the Tathagatagarbha, according to karmic conditions, can not only influence the growth of plants but also alter their inherent nature and attributes. The mental power of the manas-consciousness can not only influence the psychology of sentient beings and affect plants but also impact all material phenomena. For example, a qigong master, through focused intention, can change the shape and position of objects and heal illnesses from a distance. Additionally, the manas-consciousness chanting mantras or binding effigies can alter others' physical forms; both health and death can be controlled by those with meditative stability in their manas-consciousness.