Why the Buddha Cannot Find the Eighth Consciousness in Nirvana Without Residue

In the state of Nirvana without residue, the body of five aggregates is absent. Without this basis, the eighth consciousness cannot manifest its own characteristics. Without manifesting its functioning characteristics, none of the Buddha's consciousnesses can perceive the eighth consciousness.

Discovering and observing the eighth consciousness must occur through the body of five aggregates; one must observe its operation within the functioning of the five aggregates. Without the five-aggregate body, the eighth consciousness cannot be observed, just as wind must be observed through trees or objects. Without trees or objects, wind in empty space cannot manifest itself. The situation of the eighth consciousness should be similar to that of wind.

That which is formless and without characteristics must be revealed through phenomena that possess form and characteristics; otherwise, how can the formless be discovered? For example, to detect wind, one must perceive the coolness or chilliness felt on one’s body when wind blows, or observe clothing fluttering, trees swaying, or objects moving. Without one’s own five-aggregate body, how could wind be detected? Without the swaying of external trees or grass, how could wind be perceived? Detecting wind requires observing it through material forms, through the dynamic characteristics of wind’s movement, through the fluttering of objects, or through the sensations of coolness, chilliness, coldness, or heat felt when wind touches the body.

The principle for discovering the eighth consciousness is the same: it must be perceived through the functioning of the five-aggregate body, through the activities of the five aggregates. The presence of five-aggregate activity indicates that the eighth consciousness is grasping, sustaining, and operating within the physical body. Without the five-aggregate body, the eighth consciousness cannot manifest.

The Buddha states in the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination Sutra: "Name and form condition each other; name and form condition consciousness, and consciousness conditions name and form." "Name and form" refers to the five aggregates, while "consciousness" refers to the alaya-vijnana, the eighth consciousness. The five aggregates can function only by relying on the eighth consciousness; without the eighth consciousness, there are no five aggregates. "Consciousness conditions name and form" means that the alaya-vijnana must rely on the five-aggregate body to manifest its existence and operation. Without the five-aggregate body, the eighth consciousness cannot function.