How to Transform the Basis as Tathāgatagarbha

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

It does not crave fame, does not fish for renown, does not like to show off or make a display of itself, does not enjoy flattery and veneration, remaining obscure and unknown—the five-aggregate body must also be like this. In daily life, tathāgatagarbha, with regard to eating, drinking, and all the necessities of life—moving, standing, sitting, and lying down—neither indulges in luxury nor craves them, receiving and using them without intent. The five-aggregate body must therefore know contentment well, neither being extravagant and wasteful nor comparing itself with others or putting on airs. Tathāgatagarbha never sleeps and does not enjoy indulgence; the five-aggregate body must therefore not crave comfortable sleep, not pursue leisure and ease, and discard the hindrance of sloth-and-torpor. If one cannot accomplish these things, then one has not taken refuge in tathāgatagarbha, and even if one wishes to transform the basis, it will not succeed.