How to Achieve the Transformation of the Basis as Tathāgatagarbha?

The transformation of the basis as tathāgatagarbha means that all bodily, verbal, and mental actions and the mental character of the five aggregates body must take refuge in tathāgatagarbha and become similar to tathāgatagarbha, transforming the defiled nature, afflictive nature, and ignorant nature of the five aggregates 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 mind of the seven consciousnesses of the five aggregates 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 passing through a thicket of wind-blown flowers without a single petal clinging to the body. The five aggregates body must also be like this.

Not craving fame, not fishing for reputation and renown, not liking to show off, not being ostentatious, not delighting in flattery and veneration, remaining obscure and unknown—the five aggregates 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—is neither extravagant nor covetous, and experiences them without attachment. The five aggregates body must therefore know contentment well, being neither wasteful nor extravagant, neither comparing oneself with others nor putting on airs. Tathāgatagarbha never sleeps and does not delight in enjoyment; the five aggregates body must therefore not crave comfortable sleep, not pursue leisure and ease, and abandon 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 accomplish the transformation of the basis, it will not succeed.