Human thoughts and the external environment can mutually influence each other

Plants operate through the joint functioning of the tathāgatagarbhas of sentient beings sharing common karma; the seeds of the four great elements change moment by moment, and thus plants also undergo transformation moment by moment. The particles of the four great elements in plants also constantly radiate outward moment by moment, so plants exert a certain influence on their surrounding environment and on people. The sense-objects of form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and dharma that they emit can affect human health and emotions; a plant can therefore be called a small magnetic field. It is also a normal phenomenon that human thought can influence and alter plants—that the human mind can change the material environment is precisely the function and operation of the three transforming consciousnesses. When the mental activity of the manas is strong, the tathāgatagarbha, in accordance with karmic conditions, will not only influence the growth of plants but can also alter their properties and attributes. The power of the manas' thought can influence not only the psychology of sentient beings and plants, but also all material form. For example, when a qigong master stirs a thought, he can change the shape and position of objects and heal illness at a distance. Likewise, when the manas recites mantras or employs substitute effigies, it can alter another person's physical body; both health and death can be manipulated in the hands of a person whose manas possesses meditative power.