The Profound Meaning of Consciousness-only in the Diamond Sutra (40)

Since all various marks are born from and manifested by the tathāgatagarbha, the operation of all various marks cannot be separated from the tathāgatagarbha. When seeing marks, a person with wisdom can discover the ultimate reality (dharmatā) that is together with the marks. Who discovers the true mind of ultimate reality? It is the deluded mind. Enlightenment means the deluded mind has found the true mind, and thereby attains prajñā wisdom. The true mind can be found in all the various illusory marks operating within the five aggregates (pañca-skandha) and the eighteen realms (aṣṭādaśa-dhātu). For example, in raising hands and moving feet, in greeting and seeing off guests, in recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti) and prostrating to the Buddha, even in hitting and scolding people — the true mind is operating together in all of them. The Sixth Patriarch said: 若见性，轮刀上阵也见，即是此理。

The Vimalakīrti Sūtra says: 菩萨举足下足都从道场来； Layman Pang of the Tang dynasty said: 搬柴及运水，神通并妙用； Deshan used a staff to strike people in order to reveal this principle to students; Linji used a great shout to point it out to students; Zhaozhou said: 吃茶去； Chan Master Yongming told his disciples: 拜佛去。All these Chan masters were using various means of zen repartee to point out the truth to students. When merit and favorable conditions are complete, one enters enlightenment into ultimate reality and awakens to the great matter. A disciple came to his master and said: "It has been three years since I arrived here, yet I have never seen the master expound the Buddha-dharma for me." The master said: "Where have I not expounded it? When you hand me water, I drink it; when you bring me food, I eat it; when you salute me, I return the salutation (vandana). Where have I not expounded the Buddha-dharma?" The disciple pondered after hearing this. The master said: "If you want to see it, then see it — what is there to ponder?" The disciple immediately became enlightened.