Tathagatagarbha Is Not the Panacea Dharma

Question: Genuine great supernatural powers require realization of the Tathāgatagarbha; only by personally utilizing the wondrous functions of the Tathāgatagarbha consciousness can one attain true great supernatural powers, which is a state at least equivalent to that of an Arhat or beyond. In principle, the minor supernatural powers of ordinary sentient beings should also be wondrous functions of the Tathāgatagarbha. However, since they have not yet realized the Tathāgatagarbha, they should not possess its wondrous functions. So where do these minor supernatural powers come from? Should we say that the Tathāgatagarbha is like a treasure trove, where the extent of its development determines how much one can utilize it? That great supernatural powers represent one hundred percent development of the Tathāgatagarbha, while minor supernatural powers represent only a tiny fraction of its development?

Answer: All sentient beings are constantly utilizing the Tathāgatagarbha at every moment; none fail to use it, including beings like bacteria and ants. The difference is that realized beings use it knowingly, while unrealized sentient beings use it unknowingly. In reality, it is all passive usage—they cannot avoid using it, as the Tathāgatagarbha actively assists them. Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and wise individuals utilize it virtuously, while those with defiled minds utilize it perversely. But whether the application is virtuous or perverse, it is the Tathāgatagarbha actively cooperating with the functions arising from manas (the thinking mind) and the five aggregates. When manas and the five aggregates are virtuous, the Tathāgatagarbha cooperates to create virtuous dharmas; when manas and the five aggregates are unvirtuous, the Tathāgatagarbha accordingly creates unvirtuous dharmas. The key lies with manas and the karmic seeds. Therefore, spiritual practice is primarily about cultivating manas well and planting virtuous seeds, so that the Tathāgatagarbha will accordingly create virtuous dharmas in response to virtuous conditions. We simply need to focus on practicing; there is no need to worry about how to utilize the Tathāgatagarbha. By cultivating manas well, we utilize the Tathāgatagarbha well.

Generally speaking, supernatural powers refer to the five types: divine eye, divine ear, miraculous feet (or supernormal mobility), knowledge of others' minds, and recollection of past lives. These all arise from the four dhyānas and eight samādhis. Possession by spirits and the like do not count as supernatural powers. The functions of the Tathāgatagarbha are provisionally termed wondrous supernatural functions. When the mental capacity and wisdom of sentient beings' manas are opened, dhyāna arises, and supernatural powers or great supernatural powers will manifest. This is the Tathāgatagarbha revealing itself in accordance with manas. Therefore, practice mainly involves cultivating manas, beginning with cultivating the sixth consciousness (mano-vijñāna).

Ordinary supernatural powers are generally the result of cultivating dhyāna. Whether or not one has realized the Tathāgatagarbha, supernatural powers belong to worldly dharmas and are achievements of concentration (śamatha). Regarding worldly matters, there is no need to involve the Tathāgatagarbha. For example, if you want to master a skill, simply focus on studying that skill; invoking the Tathāgatagarbha is useless. If you want to learn to cook well, invoking the Tathāgatagarbha is also useless and may even hinder progress. Even regarding the emptiness of the Śrāvakayāna or the emptiness of non-Buddhist paths, invoking the Tathāgatagarbha is useless. There is no need to link everything to the Tathāgatagarbha. However, the great supernatural powers of Bodhisattvas on the bhūmis (grounds) are indeed related to the realization of the Tathāgatagarbha. They are the union of deep concentration and great wisdom; lacking either one, great supernatural powers will not manifest.