Should Ordinary Beings Cling to Tathagatagarbha?

Q: Does deeply believing in the existence of a Tathagatagarbha count as a subtle form of dharma-attachment? That is, while acknowledging that the Tathagata is formless and beyond characteristics, one might still be attached to this very notion of formlessness. Some might argue: "I only use such terminology out of necessity for expression; in truth, there is no name, nor is there 'a nameless concept.'"

A: Regarding the issues of ego-attachment and dharma-attachment, there is no need to consider them for now. Ego-attachment 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 we speak of eliminating ego-attachment? Especially dharma-attachment—that can only be gradually eliminated by Bodhisattvas on the Bhūmis (grounds). Without realizing the enlightened mind and attaining fruition, it is fundamentally impossible to eliminate dharma-attachment. The distance between an ordinary being and a Bodhisattva on the Bhūmis spans nearly an immeasurable kalpa. Discussing the elimination of dharma-attachment this early is of no benefit.

Deeply believing in the existence of Tathagatagarbha is not dharma-attachment; persistently grasping at Tathagatagarbha is dharma-attachment. Before breaking through the prison barrier, grasping at Tathagatagarbha is normal and proper. After all, grasping at Tathagatagarbha is far purer than grasping at the five aggregates; thus, it is preferable to grasp at Tathagatagarbha. Only after realizing Tathagatagarbha can one gradually cease grasping at it. Since we have not yet realized Tathagatagarbha, we cannot even speak of grasping. Merely recognizing Tathagatagarbha as true is already very good. Tathagatagarbha itself lacks self-nature, but the sixth and seventh consciousnesses take Tathagatagarbha as the true self. Before breaking through the prison barrier, this is a positive sign—it is normal and proper.