How to Realize the Tathagatagarbha

The Tathāgatagarbha is a formless and attributeless mind dharma, not a form dharma. Therefore, it cannot be found within form dharmas; the eyes can never perceive the Tathāgatagarbha. In reality, we can neither see, feel, smell, hear, nor conceptualize the Tathāgatagarbha. Only through investigating meditation can we realize its function and operation. To realize the Tathāgatagarbha, one must use the solitary mental consciousness and the mental faculty (manas) to investigate, thereby discovering the formless, attributeless operational characteristics of the Tathāgatagarbha.

The observation of the Tathāgatagarbha’s operation should be as specific as possible; the more specific it is, the deeper and subtler the wisdom becomes. The most concrete and apparent operation of the Tathāgatagarbha is its function of giving rise to the six consciousnesses: sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. The operation of the Tathāgatagarbha projecting the seeds of the four great elements onto the physical body is likely imperceptible to anyone except a Buddha. In inanimate objects, the operation of numerous Tathāgatagarbhas projecting the seeds of the four great elements is even more imperceptible. So how can one realize one's own Tathāgatagarbha or the Tathāgatagarbha of a single sentient being? The Tathāgatagarbha possesses the seeing aspect, capable of perceiving all dharmas. If it could not perceive all dharmas, it would be unable to manifest, sustain, or alter all dharmas. We only need to observe and analyze how its seeing aspect differs from the seventh consciousness (manas), how it differs from the sixth consciousness (mental consciousness), and how it differs from the five sense consciousnesses. By starting our observation, analysis, and contemplation from this point, we can find the path forward and discover the answers we seek.

Since the Tāthāgatagarbha cognizes the physical body and the material world (which belong to the sense object of form), including sound, smell, taste, touch, and mental objects—cognizing all eighteen dharmas—then what content does it cognize, and how does it cognize? This is the fundamental starting point for realizing the wisdom of consciousness-only and the wisdom of seeds. All dharmas are manifested by the Tathāgatagarbha. Before manifesting them, it must perceive and cognize them; it cannot manifest any dharma blindly. The key and crucial point for attaining the wisdom of consciousness-only and the wisdom of seeds lies in understanding the manner and content of its perception, and how it operates.