The Eighth Consciousness and Nirupadhiśeṣa-Nirvāṇa: Neither Identical Nor Different

The dharma characterized by arising and perishing is the dharma of birth, death, and change; it is not the permanent dharma. Therefore, the eighth consciousness neither enters nirvana without residue nor emerges from nirvana without residue. The eighth consciousness is not within nirvana without residue, nor is it outside nirvana without residue; it is neither identical to nor different from nirvana without residue.

The eighth consciousness transcends worldly dharmas and does not associate with any worldly dharma. After the worldly dharmas—the five aggregates and eighteen elements—cease, the eighth consciousness does not cease along with them but remains serene and independent. It is precisely because of this that nirvana without residue exists; otherwise, there would not even be nirvana without residue. If everything were completely extinguished with the cessation of the five aggregates and eighteen elements, leaving nothing whatsoever, then there would be no future lives or subsequent existences. Furthermore, when the five aggregates and eighteen elements arise, the eighth consciousness does not arise along with them, because the eighth consciousness is inherently existent, already present and fully formed, requiring no birth.