Should Ordinary Beings Cling to Tathagatagarbha?

Question: Does deeply believing in the existence of a Tathagatagarbha constitute a subtle form of dharma-clinging? That is, while acknowledging that the Tathagata is formless and without characteristics, one might still cling to this very concept of formlessness and characteristiclessness. Some might argue: "I use such a term out of necessity for expression; in reality, there is no name, nor is there 'a nameless concept'."

Answer: Regarding the issues of ego-clinging and dharma-clinging, there is no need to consider them for now. Ego-clinging can only be eradicated by Arhats of the fourth fruition. Ordinary beings are still very far from attaining the fourth fruition; even overcoming the view of self is extremely difficult, so how can one speak of eradicating ego-clinging? Especially concerning dharma-clinging, that can only be gradually eliminated by Bodhisattvas on the bhumi stages. Without realizing the mind and attaining fruition, it is fundamentally impossible to eradicate dharma-clinging. The distance between an ordinary being and a Bodhisattva on the bhumi stages is almost an immeasurable kalpa. Discussing the eradication of dharma-clinging this early is of no benefit.

Deeply believing in the existence of Tathagatagarbha is not dharma-clinging; persistently clinging to Tathagatagarbha without letting go is dharma-clinging. Before breaking through the profound barrier, clinging to Tathagatagarbha is normal and appropriate. After all, clinging to Tathagatagarbha is far purer than clinging to the five aggregates; therefore, it is preferable to cling to Tathagatagarbha. Only after realizing Tathagatagarbha can one gradually cease clinging to it. Since Tathagatagarbha has not yet been realized, one cannot truly speak of clinging to it. Merely recognizing Tathagatagarbha as true is already very good. Tathagatagarbha itself lacks self-nature, but the sixth and seventh consciousnesses regard Tathagatagarbha as the true self. Before breaking through the profound barrier, this is a good phenomenon, normal and appropriate.