Can the Method of Elimination Realize the Mind?

What is the method of elimination? For instance, one establishes a target in their mind and, within a chosen scope, eliminates objects different from the target. The remaining one is then established as the target in their mind. Regardless of whether the chosen scope is comprehensive or not, as long as one self-confirms, they consider themselves correct. The method to illuminate the mind and realize the fruit is extremely simple.

Even if a dog is trained well, it can use the method of elimination to find the object specified by its owner. Other animals can also learn this with training because it doesn't require much brainpower, isn't laborious, doesn't need virtuous roots or blessings, doesn't require meditative concentration, doesn't require upholding precepts, and doesn't require diligent cultivation of the Thirty-seven Aids to Enlightenment. Even an uneducated person, with hints, can illuminate the mind and realize the fruit. For example, the owner spreads out three cards, A, B, and C, in front of the dog and asks it to point out which one is C. The dog first points to A, the owner shakes their head and says no. Then the dog points to B, the owner again shakes their head and says no. Finally, only one card is left. Without thinking, it's clear that the remaining one is C, so the dog naturally points to C. The owner says this time it's correct. The dog is then happy, feeling very capable, and receives a bone as a reward from the owner.

Using the method of elimination to find the eighth consciousness is similar. There are only eight consciousnesses altogether. The six consciousnesses that perceive the six dusts (objects of sense) are definitely not the eighth consciousness, eliminating six at once. That leaves the manas (seventh consciousness) and the eighth consciousness. Ordinary people truly cannot observe the manas; they don't know what it is. Even if told it's the one that acts as the master constantly and everywhere, they still cannot find the manas. Finding the manas is extremely difficult; observing its discerning nature is even more unthinkable. So, they eliminate the manas and stop looking for it, focusing solely on finding the eighth consciousness. What is the eighth consciousness like? Many people know the eighth consciousness does not perceive the six dusts. So they search and search, finally finding something that seems not to perceive the six dusts. They then speculate that this thing seems to have a discerning nature, and what it discerns doesn't seem to be the six dusts. As for what exactly it discerns, it is truly unobservable, because only those who possess the wisdom of differentiation (别相智) and the wisdom of the path seeds (道种智) after enlightenment can observe the discerning nature of the eighth consciousness and know what the eighth consciousness actually discerns. Ordinary people fundamentally cannot observe the discerning nature of the eighth consciousness, unless they guess and speculate based on theory. Finally, they think the eighth consciousness seems to discern the body, faculties, and the material world, because the sutras and treatises all say so. Then, it must be this one, no mistake. So they hastily and happily confirm it, feeling as if they have no doubts, and claim to have severed the three fetters.

If such intelligence isn't innate, then their brains must have once been waterlogged later in life. They are inferior even to children with slightly more developed brains. How could they be bodhisattvas sincerely seeking to cultivate and realize the bodhisattva path? They are incredibly naive. If they encountered the patriarchs of old, with the patriarchs' straightforwardness, they wouldn't say a single word to them; they would directly strike their heads open with a big stick. How dare they harm the Zen school? Kindergarten-level intelligence is beyond education. If it weren't for my concern for the rise and fall of the Zen school, I wouldn't even deign to glance at such people. However, illuminating the mind is the most crucial point of Buddhist practice in the Zen school. It is the life-and-death gate for sentient beings, the place of refuge and liberation for countless sentient beings in this life and future lives. If someone destroys this gate, sentient beings will never again be able to leap through the dragon gate like a carp.

Even a scholastic adherent is far more valuable than this method of elimination. The method of elimination doesn't require much understanding or intelligence. It's like picking beans: just pick out the bad beans, and the remaining ones are all good beans. How simple. Why bother cultivating the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Four Right Efforts, the Four Bases of Psychic Power, or the Five Roots and Five Powers? No need to receive or uphold precepts, no need to cultivate meditative concentration, no need for any concentration at all. A bean-picking job doesn't need to be so troublesome. The conditions the Buddha spoke of are all superfluous; those of the highest capacity need not adhere to the Buddha's words.

The thirteen-year-old novice Shenhui under the Sixth Patriarch was clever, intelligent, and possessed deep virtuous roots. His desire for the Dharma was urgent. He climbed mountains and crossed ridges, traveling a thousand miles to find the Sixth Patriarch seeking the Way. The Sixth Patriarch only confirmed him as a scholastic adherent. At that time, the Zen style was so flourishing, and there were so many enlightened patriarchs and virtuous teachers. Yet, Shenhui the monk actually lived to ninety-six years old still as a scholastic adherent, having written many articles, spending his whole life debating and contending for the school's orthodoxy with Shenxiu of the Northern School and the gradual cultivation faction. Who among people today possesses Shenhui the monk's spirit for seeking the Dharma and his virtuous roots and blessings? Yet they dream of using the method of elimination to find the eighth consciousness and surpass Shenhui the monk. The eighth consciousness will not let you find it this way. Using speculative methods might allow you to speculate it out, but that is like drawing a cake to satisfy hunger – ultimately, you won't be full. In short, please recognize one fact: the Dharma-ending Age is, after all, the Dharma-ending Age. Do not harbor any delusions. To be truthful is good; to be deluded is evil.