The Relationship Between Manas and Tathāgatagarbha

The primary function of the manas (mind faculty) is its sovereign and decisive nature—it has the final say. This is an unalterable fact. The function of the Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature) is inherently thus: possessing seeds and resources, it can transform, create, and sustain all dharmas. Whenever the manas has an intention, the Tathāgatagarbha strives to cooperate accordingly. This precisely reveals the manas's potent sense of self and sovereignty, as well as the Tathāgatagarbha's quality of responding to conditions and selflessness. The manas and the Tathāgatagarbha are inseparable, like a shadow following a form.

The more one studies the Dharma of Vijñānavāda (Consciousness-Only), the deeper and more thorough one's realization will be in the future, enabling insight into the very source. Superficial study leads to shallow realization. If one possesses the concentration of the first dhyāna, it is possible that upon realization, one might even reach the stages of the Ten Practices or the Ten Dedications.