All Existing Dharmas Are the Object-Aspect (nimitta) of Tathāgatagarbha

The object-aspect (nimitta) of the sixth consciousness (manovijñāna) is extremely broad and complex; it is not merely the six sense objects (ṣaḍ-viṣaya), but also includes mental minds and mental factors (caitta-dharma), as well as dharmas that are neither material nor mental. The object-aspect of the tathāgatagarbha is the faculties and body, the material world (bhājana-loka), and the mental activities of the seven consciousnesses. In fact, all dharmas born of the tathāgatagarbha are the object-aspect of the tathāgatagarbha, and the tathāgatagarbha can cognize them all. If it could not cognize them, the tathāgatagarbha could not hold and sustain them, and the dharmas would necessarily perish and could not exist. Any dharma that the tathāgatagarbha cannot cognize is a dharma that does not exist; therefore, all existing dharmas are the object-aspect of the tathāgatagarbha.

However, the tathāgatagarbha does not cognize in the worldly manner of the seven consciousnesses; its cognition is a unique kind of cognition, just like a washing machine running its clothes-washing program—without awareness or knowing, not knowing good or bad, right or wrong, and it will not give rise to mental activity or thoughts because of its cognition. The cognition of the seven consciousnesses, on the other hand, involves the mind; when cognizing, there is awareness and perception, capable of discerning the content of the dharmas being cognized, knowing right and wrong, good and evil; therefore, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness arise, there are various feelings and experiences, and consequently the power of mindfulness is very strong.