The Suchness Nature of the Eighth Consciousness

Suchness refers to the original state of the dharma realm, the true existence and unchanging nature of the dharma realm, the intrinsic reality of the dharma realm, and the fundamental essence of the dharma realm. The dharma realm denotes the boundary, the limit, and the defining scope of all dharmas. All dharmas are essentially unified as the eighth consciousness; they are all of the nature of the eighth consciousness.

Why are all dharmas of the nature of the eighth consciousness? Because all dharmas are produced and transformed by the eighth consciousness; it is the eighth consciousness that perfectly manifests all dharmas, presenting them in accordance with karmic seeds without violating the laws and operating principles of the dharma realm. Within this operation, the mind remains unmoved by the dharmas, preserving the original mind's purity and uncontaminated nature, maintaining its fundamental truth and immutability, and abiding in unwavering stillness.

Although all dharmas possess their respective conventional appearances, they are ultimately the appearance of the eighth consciousness—that is, the appearance and nature of Suchness. Therefore, all dharmas are collectively termed the One True Dharma Realm. Superficially, all dharmas appear to undergo birth, cessation, and change; they seem to be in motion, yet in reality, they are unmoving, neither increasing nor decreasing, unchanging and undifferentiated. No matter how turbulent or active the conventional world may seem, the dharma realm remains inherently tranquil, utterly still and motionless. So why do we agitate? Why do we seek? Why do we grasp? Settle the mind, live in accordance with conditions without even the notion of living, and one will accord with the nature of Suchness, attaining serene liberation.