V. Question: Regarding the phrase "The objective reality does not follow the mind, while the mental image exclusively follows the perceiving aspect" — does "the mental image exclusively follows the perceiving aspect" mean that the mental image shares the same nature as the perceiving aspect, or does it mean that the mental image transforms according to the perceiving aspect? Brief Discussion on Material Elements (Draft)

Brief Discussion on Material Elements (Draft)

Author: Shi Shengru Doctrines of the Consciousness-Only School Update: 21 Jul 2025 Reads: 1376

V. Question: In the phrase "The objective realm does not follow the mind, while the image-only realm solely follows perception," does "image-only realm solely follows perception" mean that the image-only realm shares the same seed as the perceiving aspect, or does it mean that the image-only realm transforms according to the perceiving aspect?

Answer: The objective realm is the true or approximate manifestation of the external six dusts (objects) within the superior sense base at the back of the brain, formed by subtle four-element seeds and unchangeable. The image-only realm arises from the grasping of the mental faculty, an illusory state conjured by the Tathāgatagarbha in cooperation with it. The perceiving aspect is formed by consciousness seeds. The image-only realm manifests and transforms according to the thought mental factors of the mental consciousness of the mental faculty. If the mental faculty does not grasp, and mental consciousness does not engage in false thinking, the image-only realm ceases to exist. As for the objective realm, regardless of whether the mental faculty grasps or not, it inevitably exists and cannot be altered.