Is the Seed Substantially Existent?

Only the Tathagatagarbha is truly real. The seven great seeds are inherent seeds within the Tathagatagarbha, which have never undergone birth or cessation; they possess the true function of giving rise to all phenomena and can thus be considered real. As for karmic seeds, they are generated after the fact, subject to birth, cessation, and transformation; therefore, they are not truly real. Although Buddha-nature is also unborn and unceasing, it ceases to function in the state of nirvana without residue; thus, it cannot be considered completely real. In nirvana without residue, the seven great seeds still remain, but Buddha-nature does not. The seven great seeds are like the heart of the Tathagatagarbha, coexisting with it; thus, they can be regarded as real, while none of the others are truly real.