Which Vijñāna Do Concepts and Experiences Originate From?

Concepts exist only in the consciousness of the mind. Consciousness corresponds with concepts; the five consciousnesses, manas, and the eighth consciousness do not possess concepts of dharmas. This is because consciousness corresponds with the characteristics of dharmas and possesses the capacity for thinking, analysis, induction, and generalization, which the other consciousnesses lack.

Experience is the accumulated wisdom cognition gained through the process of encountering corresponding dharmas. The five consciousnesses have experience regarding the five sense objects, while consciousness has experience regarding mental objects. The experiences of the six consciousnesses last only for one lifetime and are subject to forgetting. Manas, however, accumulates experiences across countless lifetimes; these are indestructible and can swiftly activate at critical moments to protect one's own safety and interests. Although the eighth consciousness remains indestructible across countless lifetimes, it possesses no memory and has no concept of experience. This is because its wisdom is inherently fixed and naturally thus, neither increasing nor decreasing. Therefore, it has no experience, requires no experience, and yet still operates all dharmas in an orderly and normal manner.