How to Transform the Basis as Tathāgatagarbha

The transformation of the basis as tathāgatagarbha (āśraya-parāvṛtti-tathāgatagarbha) means that all the bodily, verbal, and mental actions and the mental disposition of the five-aggregate body must take refuge in the tathāgatagarbha and become similar to the tathāgatagarbha, transforming the defiled nature, afflictive nature, and ignorant nature of the five-aggregate body into the pure and selfless nature of the tathāgatagarbha. How is the tathāgatagarbha pure? For example, the tathāgatagarbha has no affliction such as greed; it does not crave wealth, sensual pleasures, fame, food, or sleep; seeing money, its eyes do not light up, and it will not scheme to earn money, deceive for money, or grab money—the five-aggregate body and the mind of the seven consciousnesses must also be like this. Seeing forms, it gives rise to no thoughts; whether the form is male or female, beautiful or ugly, it remains unmoved—like passing through a grove of wind-blown flowers without a single petal clinging to the body—the five-aggregate body must also be like this.

Not craving fame or reputation, not fishing for renown, not liking to show off, not being ostentatious, not delighting in flattery and veneration, remaining obscure and unknown—the five-aggregate body must also be like this. In daily life, the tathāgatagarbha, with regard to eating, drinking, and bodily functions, moving, standing, sitting, and lying down, and all livelihood necessities, is neither extravagant nor covetous, experiencing and using them without attachment; the five-aggregate body must therefore know contentment well, not being extravagant or wasteful, not comparing or putting on airs. The tathāgatagarbha never sleeps and does not delight in enjoyment; the five-aggregate body must therefore not crave comfortable sleep, not pursue leisure and ease, and must discard the hindrance of sloth and torpor. If one cannot accomplish these, then one has not taken refuge in the tathāgatagarbha, and even if one wishes to achieve the transformation of the basis, it will not succeed.