Kleshas Are Bodhi

Consciousness is divided into true consciousness and false consciousness. The mind that perceives afflictions must be the false consciousness of the seventh consciousness, whereas true consciousness does not perceive these. Because of the perception of the false mind, sentient beings become aware of afflictions; because of the perception of the true mind, sentient beings are able to give rise to afflictions, manifest afflictions, and make afflictions apparent, thereby enabling them to reflect upon their own afflicted nature. These two types of consciousness serve different functions: false consciousness can perceive, and false consciousness itself inherently possesses afflictions—it is the perception of one's own afflictions. True consciousness is the source of afflictions but does not perceive them.

Therefore, it is said that afflictions are bodhi. The relationship between afflictions and bodhi is neither identical nor different. Not identical: bodhi is not equivalent to afflictions; afflictions arise and cease, while bodhi neither arises nor ceases. Afflictions depend on bodhi to arise, yet bodhi itself does not arise and exists without relying on external conditions. When afflictions cease, bodhi does not cease. Not different: afflictions originate from bodhi; they are part of bodhi and also the manifestation of bodhi's function. Thus, wherever afflictions exist, bodhi can certainly be found. Enlightenment lies precisely in recognizing, amidst the afflictions of eating, drinking, defecating, urinating, walking, standing, sitting, reclining, speaking, laughing, and conversing, that bodhi-mind substance which is free from these afflictions.