The Realm of Seeing the Path in Consciousness-Only

Question: Which stage does the seeing of the path (darśana-mārga) in Yogācāra refer to? Is it after attaining the third or fourth fruit?

Answer: The seeing of the path in Yogācāra mainly refers to attaining a portion of the seed-wisdom of consciousness-only (vijñapti-mātratā). It occurs after the third fruit, close to the time of the fourth fruit. A bodhisattva of the first bhūmi must be a person of the third fruit of the Small Vehicle, with afflictions eradicated; perhaps there may still remain a bit of conceit of self (māna) and some attachment to the five aggregates or to the world of the three realms that has not yet been eradicated.

Ordinary people who study the Yogācāra dharma can likewise attain enlightenment, and once enlightened, their insight is deep, subtle, and ultimate. Those who attain enlightenment through the Chan school have wisdom that is rather coarse and shallow.

Bodhisattvas from the first bhūmi up to the seventh bhūmi must not enter the true position of the arhat of the fourth fruit of the Small Vehicle, and must not attain realization of the fourth fruit; otherwise they will inevitably enter nirvāṇa. For a bodhisattva, retaining a little bit of craving and attachment is beneficial for continuing cultivation and propagating the Dharma in the Sahā world; apart from that, there is no need for anything else.