The Neutral Feeling of the Eight Consciousnesses

The characteristic of neutral sensation is indifference toward objects, where one feels neither suffering nor pleasure, constituting a state of mind that is neither painful nor pleasant. All eight consciousnesses possess neutral sensation. The manifestation of neutral sensation in the seventh consciousness occurs for two reasons: Firstly, it cannot perceive the six dusts (objects of sense) specifically or in detail, being unable to discern sensations like pain, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, or spiciness within the realm of the six dusts. Consequently, it experiences no feelings of suffering or pleasure. Secondly, when the objects it encounters are calm and unremarkable, lacking significance, it likewise experiences no suffering or pleasure, only neutral sensation. Once the six consciousnesses perceive significant and particularly meaningful objects within the six dusts—especially those that profoundly impact or hold special significance for the self—the manas (seventh consciousness) experiences suffering or pleasure instead of neutral sensation. It then directs the six consciousnesses to express its own feelings of suffering or pleasure. For instance, dancing and jumping for joy, trembling with rage, or wailing in agony are all emotional expressions stemming from the manas.

The neutral sensation of the six consciousnesses differs slightly from that of the seventh consciousness. The six consciousnesses directly perceive the six dusts. After perceiving them, they do not find the six dusts particularly good or bad; their mental state is relatively neutral, more peaceful, and more moderate. They regard the presence or absence of the six dusts as acceptable, believing the six dusts have no real impact on them. They feel neither liking nor aversion, nor any desire. Thus, the six consciousnesses feel neither suffering nor pleasure toward the six dusts; this is the neutral sensation of the six consciousnesses.

The Tathāgatagarbha (Eighth Consciousness) also possesses neutral sensation, but its neutral sensation differs from that of the first seven consciousnesses. The neutral sensation of the Tathāgatagarbha is not within the realm of the six dusts. The Tathāgatagarbha does not correspond to the myriad dharmas (phenomena) of the six dusts because it does not face the six dusts, does not discriminate among the six dusts, and does not perceive the six dusts. Therefore, it does not experience the six dusts. Thus, the neutral sensation of the Tathāgatagarbha means it does not perceive the six dusts; it has no sensation regarding the six dusts, which is provisionally termed neutral sensation. In contrast, the neutral sensation of the seventh consciousness is a sensation toward the six dusts. When the seventh consciousness encounters the six dusts, it feels neither interest nor aversion; this is its neutral sensation—a sensation that arises after discriminating the six dusts but without specific perception.

The neutral sensation of the Tathāgatagarbha arises because it inherently cannot discriminate the good or bad, right or wrong, large or small, long or short, square or round aspects of the six dusts. Consequently, its own mind has no sensations and no emotions. This distinguishes the neutral sensation of the true mind (Tathāgatagarbha) from that of the deluded mind (first seven consciousnesses). Neutral sensation means feeling indifferent toward objects—neither liking nor disliking, but rather feeling unconcerned. Whether seeing or not seeing the six dusts is acceptable; having or not having the six dusts is acceptable. The mind of the seventh consciousness experiences this kind of feeling, which is called the neutral sensation of the seventh consciousness.

This neutral sensation of the Tathāgatagarbha is a sensation without perceiving specific objects; it does not know what the specific objects ultimately are, having no definitions, concepts, awareness, or observation. Therefore, the eighth consciousness possesses a plain and unremarkable kind of neutral sensation. The Tathāgatagarbha also has another kind of neutral sensation: a neutral sensation after it perceives. What does it perceive? It perceives the sentient beings' physical bodies and material world (根身器界), perceives karmic seeds (业种), and perceives the mental activities of the seven consciousnesses (七识心行). After perceiving the mental activities of the seven consciousnesses, the Tathāgatagarbha does not say that the seven consciousnesses are too pure or too defiled. Consequently, it does not develop feelings of liking or aversion toward the seven consciousnesses. It is completely neutral, utterly unconcerned with how the mental activities of the seven consciousnesses are, and it still cooperates with their functioning. After the Tathāgatagarbha perceives the karmic seeds of sentient beings, it does not say that this karmic seed is good or that one is bad. Therefore, it does not like nor reject the karmic seeds; it still outputs them truthfully, realizing the karmic results that sentient beings deserve. This is the neutral sensation of the Tathāgatagarbha.

When the Tathāgatagarbha records and stores the karmic seeds of sentient beings, it does not say, "This karmic seed is too terrible; if I record it, this sentient being will suffer terribly in the future. I should conceal it and not record or store it." Nor does it say, "This karmic action performed by the sentient being is excellent; I must store it carefully and not lose it." Therefore, regarding the karmic actions of sentient beings, the Tathāgatagarbha does not generate pleasant or painful sensations; it is completely neutral. When the Tathāgatagarbha perceives the physical bodies and material world of sentient beings, it does not say how good this body and world are, nor does it say they are too terrible and need to be altered for the better. Consequently, the Tathāgatagarbha does not develop painful or pleasant sensations toward the physical body and material world; it is also completely neutral.