Commentary on the Sutra of the Compendium of Father and Son (55)

Consciousness-realm and the nature of consciousness-realm are both unobtainable.

Original Text: However, this consciousness-realm, after each individually perceives its respective objects, immediately ceases and perishes. Its arising has no source; its cessation has no destination. Great King, when consciousness arises, it is empty; when it ceases, it is also empty. Its intrinsic nature is apart from characteristics; it does not abide in the characteristic of male, nor in that of female. It is merely a semblance revealed through verbal expression. Thus, the consciousness-realm and the nature of the consciousness-realm are both unobtainable. Only the Buddha's supreme wisdom can fully comprehend this.

Annotation: Then, after this consciousness-realm individually perceives the respective dust-objects it corresponds to, it ceases and perishes. The arising of the consciousness-realm has no origin, and its cessation has no destination. Great King, when the consciousness-realm arises, it is empty; when it ceases, it is also empty. The self-nature of this consciousness-realm is apart from all characteristics and is also empty; it does not abide in the characteristic of male, nor in that of female. It is merely an illusory semblance displayed through verbal expression. Therefore, it is said that the consciousness-realm and the nature of the consciousness-realm are both utterly unobtainable. Only the Buddha's unsurpassed, perfect, great wisdom can perfectly comprehend its meaning without obstruction.