（tatha^gatagarbha）. （1） The 'womb of the tatha^gata，' The 'matrix of the thus come one（s）.' As an embryo that should become a Buddha， or as that 'womb' where the Buddha-to-be is carried. In either case， it does not refer simply to "mind"， rather it is an expression that refers to sentient beings as the full embodiment of the Buddha's capability for existence. At the same time， compositionally， it is in the condition of being temporarily defiled by non-inherent forces， thus it cannot be called "Buddha." Therefore the term refers to the capability for becoming a tatha^gata that is present in the minds of worldlings. The cause of tatha^gatahood existing within sentient beings. Thought to be the origin of the manifestation of all aspects of existence. （2） There are three meanings of the term tatha^gatagarbha: （a） the meaning that the absolute body of the tatha^gata （dharma-ka^ya） is existent within all living creatures; （b） the meaning that the tatha^gata as reality-nature （true thusness） is a whole without distinctions; （c） the meaning that the tatha^gata exists within every living creature in a seed， or embryonic form. （3） The origin of the manifestation of Buddhahood. （4） The essence of enlightenment that is originally present within the minds of all sentient beings. The tatha^gata existent within the minds of people: The "tatha^gata has the mind of sentient beings as matrix， the mind of sentient beings has the tatha^gata as matrix， the mind of sentient beings has the multifarious virtues of the tatha^gata as matrix. In addition to these three kinds of interpretation the tatha^gata is called the 'mind of clear and pure reflection，' or The 'reality-body in the condition of confusion" （Dasheng qixin lun 起信论 ， T 1666.32.576b）. （5） The general understanding of the matrix of the thus-come-one' in Chinese Buddhism is that of the tatha^gata in the condition of being obscured by defilement. The Buddha hidden within us. （6） Despite the fact that the matrix of the thus-come-one is obscured in defilement， when the expression of its form is referred to， it is called the 'reality-body' （法身）.