Which Eye Can Perceive the Manifestation of Tathāgatagarbha?

The Tathagatagarbha is formless and shapeless, invisible to the physical eye, yet perceptible to the mind's eye, the wisdom eye, the dharma eye, and the buddha eye. Among these, the wisdom eye, dharma eye, and buddha eye are collectively referred to as the mind's eye. Due to differences in wisdom, what these three eyes perceive varies greatly. How can the formless and shapeless essence of the Tathagatagarbha be perceived? Although the essence of the Tathagatagarbha is invisible, it possesses numerous functioning manifestations and functional roles. The functioning manifestations of the Tathagatagarbha are also called mental activities and mental factors (caitasika dharmas); its functional role is to accomplish all dharmas, to manifest the appearances of all phenomena, and to endow all dharmas with their corresponding functions and roles. The wisdom eye is shallower and more obscured than the dharma eye and buddha eye, perceiving the functioning manifestations of the Tathagatagarbha sparsely and coarsely. The dharma eye perceives the functioning manifestations of the Tathagatagarbha extensively and profoundly. The buddha eye is perfect and unobstructed, perceiving all the functioning manifestations of the Tathagatagarbha in their entirety, so subtle that not a single dharma remains unknown or uncomprehended, illuminating the universe with clarity and discerning the finest detail.

The functioning manifestations of the Tathagatagarbha can be directly perceived through direct perception (pratyakṣa). Those who have not attained realization cannot observe them; they can only infer the functions arising from the Tathagatagarbha, unable to directly perceive its functioning manifestations and functions. From this, one can fully determine whether a person has attained realization or not, and whether it is genuine or false realization. The functional roles of the Tathagatagarbha can be understood and imagined through Buddhist scriptures and the teachings of patriarchs and great masters. Through reasoning, one can also infer its general functions, but it is difficult to reason out even slightly more detailed aspects. Detailed knowledge cannot be obtained merely through hearing; one must directly perceive it through personal experience. Therefore, every practitioner who wishes to attain genuine great wisdom, possessing the wisdom eye and dharma eye, must diligently cultivate precepts, concentration, and wisdom, exerting great effort in genuine practice and realization, to truly attain the merit and benefit of liberation.