All Dharmas Except Tathagatagarbha Are Unreliable

The physical body composed of the four great elements—inanimate objects like wood—becomes a sentient being with life characteristics when combined with Tathagatagarbha and the seventh consciousness. With the addition of the six consciousnesses, the life form manifests activities of the five aggregates involving seeing, hearing, sensing, and knowing, making the sentient being lively and active.

When the six consciousnesses vanish, the activities of the five aggregates cease. The sentient being retains only the signs of life, and the seventh consciousness determines to depart from the body. Together with Tathagatagarbha, it withdraws, turning the sentient being into inanimate wood, devoid of sensation and awareness.

Thus, it is evident that the seeing, hearing, sensing, and knowing activities of sentient beings are impermanent, subject to birth and cessation—unreal and unreliable. Apart from Tathagatagarbha, all phenomena are unreliable. Rely on trees, and they fall; rely on mountains, and they collapse; rely on water, and it dries up—everything is unreliable. Disciples of the Buddha should diligently cultivate themselves, seeking nothing from worldly phenomena. Only by turning to Tathagatagarbha for the Dharma and clinging closely to it can one attain great liberation in the future.

Deeply implant the concept of impermanence within your heart. Do not wait for impermanence to arrive and find yourself at a loss. Do not believe that you can grasp what you possess or control everything around you. When impermanence comes, nothing remains within your control.