How to Dispel Avidya

The Heart Sutra states that "there is neither ignorance nor the end of ignorance," which refers to the eighth consciousness having neither ignorance nor the end of ignorance. Therefore, the eighth consciousness does not require cultivation, does not need to eliminate ignorance, does not need to sever afflictions, does not need to attain liberation, nor does it need to become a Buddha. The seventh consciousness and the five aggregates cannot be like this. Since the seventh consciousness and the five aggregates possess ignorance, they require cultivation to eliminate ignorance. Only when ignorance is completely eradicated can they become pure, attain great freedom, and achieve great liberation. In the process of eliminating ignorance, one requires cultivation, needs to uphold precepts, needs to practice meditation, needs to study prajna wisdom, needs to engage in meditation to realize the truth, needs to sever afflictions, needs to attain enlightenment, and needs to become a Buddha.