All existing dharmas are the object-aspect of the tathāgatagarbha.

The object-aspect of the sixth consciousness is extremely broad and complex: it is not only the six sense objects, but also includes the mind consciousness and mental factors (caittas), as well as dharmas that are neither material nor mental. The object-aspect of the tathāgatagarbha comprises the faculties and body, the material world, and the activities of the seven consciousnesses. In fact, all dharmas generated by the tathāgatagarbha are the object-aspect of the tathāgatagarbha, and the tathāgatagarbha can discern them all. If it could not discern them, the tathāgatagarbha could not uphold them, and the dharmas would perish and cease to exist. Any dharma that the tathāgatagarbha cannot discern is a dharma that does not exist. Therefore, all existing dharmas are the object-aspect of the tathāgatagarbha.

However, the tathāgatagarbha does not discern in the worldly manner of the seven consciousnesses; its discernment is of a unique kind. It is like a washing machine running its clothes-washing program—without awareness or cognition, not knowing good or bad, right or wrong, and never giving rise to thoughts or mental activity because of its discernment. The discernment of the seven consciousnesses, on the other hand, involves mind: when discerning, there is awareness and cognition, capable of distinguishing the content of the dharmas being discerned, knowing right and wrong, good and evil. Consequently, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness arise, along with various feelings and experiences, and thus the power of mindfulness is extremely strong.