Tathāgatagarbha Is Not an Omnipotent Dharma

Answer: All sentient beings are constantly employing the tathāgatagarbha at every moment; there is not one who does not use it, including beings such as bacteria and ants. The difference is that those who have awakened use it knowingly, while sentient beings who have not awakened use it unconsciously and imperceptibly. In fact, in both cases the use is passive—there is no choice but to use it—it is the tathāgatagarbha that actively provides the help. Buddhas and bodhisattvas, being people of wisdom, employ it skillfully, while those whose minds are defiled employ it unskillfully. But whether the use is skillful or unskillful, it is all a function arising from the tathāgatagarbha actively cooperating with the manas and the five aggregates. When the manas and the five aggregates are wholesome, the tathāgatagarbha cooperates in creating wholesome dharmas; when the manas and the five aggregates are unwholesome, the tathāgatagarbha conditionally creates unwholesome dharmas. The key lies in the manas and the karmic seeds. Therefore, cultivation is precisely about cultivating the manas well and storing wholesome seeds; then the tathāgatagarbha will, in accord with wholesome conditions, create wholesome dharmas. We need only focus on our cultivation and need not worry about how to use the tathāgatagarbha—by using the manas well, one uses the tathāgatagarbha well.

The supernatural powers generally spoken of are the five supernatural powers: the divine eye, the divine ear, psychokinesis (ṛddhi), knowing others' minds, and recollection of past lives (pūrvanivāsānusmṛti)—all of which arise from the four dhyānas and eight absorptions; things like spirit possession do not count as supernatural powers. The functions and operations of the tathāgatagarbha are expediently called its wondrous supernatural functions. When a sentient being's manas opens up in capacity and wisdom, meditative concentration appears, and supernatural powers and great supernatural powers will manifest—these are displayed by the tathāgatagarbha in accordance with the manas. Therefore, cultivation mainly means cultivating the manas, and the first step is cultivating the mind consciousness.

Ordinary supernatural powers are the result of cultivating meditative concentration; whether or not one has realized the tathāgatagarbha, supernatural powers are worldly dharmas, achievements of the study of samādhi. Matters in the realm of worldly dharmas need not involve the tathāgatagarbha. For example, if you want to master a skill, just devote yourself to studying that skill—invoking the tathāgatagarbha is useless. If you want to learn to cook well, invoking the tathāgatagarbha is also useless and will only delay matters. Even with the emptiness of the Small Vehicle or the emptiness of non-Buddhist paths, invoking the tathāgatagarbha is useless; there is no need to link everything to the tathāgatagarbha. However, the great supernatural powers of bhūmi-level bodhisattvas are indeed related to realizing the tathāgatagarbha; those are a combination of meditative concentration and great wisdom—lacking either one, great supernatural powers will not appear.