Why Can the Eighth Consciousness Discern All Dharmas?

Because all dharmas issue forth from the mind of the eighth consciousness, the slightest arising, transformation, and cessation of all dharmas is governed by the eighth consciousness, upheld by the eighth consciousness, and inseparably bound to it, never apart from it even for an instant. The eighth consciousness itself possesses the nature of discernment, the capacity of knowing, and mental factors (caittas); therefore the eighth consciousness can discern all dharmas, can know all dharmas, and can govern and determine all dharmas. In essence, all dharmas are parts of the eighth consciousness, are things within the mind of the eighth consciousness, are transformed appearances of the eighth consciousness. Thus all marks are the marks of the eighth consciousness—dharmas without duality or difference—the whole being the single true dharma-realm of the eighth consciousness.

Including the five consciousnesses, the mind consciousness, and the manas—all are marks of the eighth consciousness, stand-ins for the eighth consciousness, governed by the eighth consciousness. Therefore the eighth consciousness, from beginning to end, can likewise truly and as-it-is discern these seven consciousnesses, knows the mental activities and modes of conduct of these seven consciousnesses, and can determine their arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing. All dharmas are articles made of true gold; their nature is all the nature of true gold. The quality of the true gold determines the value of the gold articles; whoever has mastered the true gold has mastered all the articles. A single maṇi jewel radiates its light throughout the great thousand worlds, shining in all directions.