Why Does the Eighth Consciousness Lack a Self While the Seventh Consciousness Possesses a Self?

The eighth consciousness is inherently characterized by the absence of self. Why is it devoid of self? Analyzing this question clearly will greatly aid in severing the view of self. The term "analyze" is used here because without realizing the eighth consciousness, one cannot directly observe its functioning or perceive its mental nature and awareness during the operation of all phenomena. However, the absence of self in the eighth consciousness must have a cause, just as the presence of self in the seventh consciousness has its reason—namely, the seventh consciousness immediately falls into mundane phenomena upon perceiving dharmas, seeing the benefits of worldly dharmas, which is ignorance. In contrast, the eighth consciousness is free from ignorance; perceiving all dharmas, it sees neither mundane phenomena nor worldly benefits, thus it is without self and without seeking. So, what should the seventh consciousness do to sever the view of self?

The methods of practice are laid out plainly. It is simply that individuals lack the necessary conditions and circumstances to apply them effectively, hence they cannot proceed and feel there is no starting point. For instance, I always think about focusing more on self-cultivation to improve myself, but thinking about it for two years has been useless, and even two more years would not make it possible. The conditions are insufficient; I cannot set aside the work of propagating the Dharma, and there are too many concerns on my mind. Unlike before, when I alone was fed and the whole family was satisfied, free to do as I wished, now it is impossible—there are too many encumbrances. Others face similar difficulties, each with their own struggles; matters cannot be set aside, making it impossible to concentrate wholeheartedly on continuous effort. Like water that never boils because the heat is too low, progress stalls. When conditions are incomplete, it is invariably due to insufficient merit, preventing the enhancement of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. Therefore, cultivating merit remains crucial. Merit is one’s own provisions and resources for the path. Provisions must precede the troops—yet many lack these provisions, so how can they exert effort?