Yes and no. Any lifeless, inanimate object exists because of the past karmic power of sentient beings. Whatever we encounter enters through the five sense organs and is perceived by the discriminating mind. Without the discriminating mind (the sixth consciousness of the Yogacara school), we would not be able to perceive anything. When someone's sixth consciousness does not function, the outside world ceases to exist for that individual. The world still exists for other sentient beings, but not for the person without a discriminating consciousness.

However, it is not the sixth consciousness alone that creates the world. The environment is a manifestation arising from the interaction of all five skandhas. With our senses and discriminating mind we experience the world. Whenever we make decisions, think, say or do something, we are creating karma, and karma in turn helps to create and shape the environment. The world is the way it is because of everyone's karma. The world changes as you live your life and create new karma. Therefore, it is important to be aware of your actions and speech. Your karma is shaping not only your future, but also the world's.

Dharmadhatu nature, on the other hand, can only be seen by someone who has attained enlightenment. Dharmadhatu nature is the nature of emptiness. Emptiness means that all dharmas ─ all phenomena ─ are in a constant state of change. Nothing is permanent. Furthermore, every dharma is interconnected with all other dharmas. Nothing stands on its own. If one attains Buddhahood, one perceives this nature of emptiness. Enlightened beings perceive the world with pure minds, and they deal with the world through their wisdom. Ordinary people perceive the world with vexed minds, and they deal with the world through their discrimination. Pure mind creates Dharmadhatu nature, and Dharmadhatu nature makes pure mind possible. The mind of vexation creates the environment. Pure mind is wisdom. The vexed mind is discriminative consciousness.