Discriminative and Cognitive Nature of the Mind

The seventh consciousness possesses a discriminative nature, for the seventh consciousness inherently functions to discriminate. As long as the mind of the seventh consciousness exists, discrimination is inevitable. Without discrimination, it could not manifest within the Three Realms. The reason the first seven consciousnesses are called "consciousnesses" is that the intrinsic nature of the conscious mind is to engage in discrimination or recognition; it perpetually possesses this discriminative quality. Otherwise, it would not be called a consciousness and would be no different from wood. Since the eighth consciousness is also called a consciousness, it naturally possesses discriminative nature as well. All eight consciousnesses have discriminative nature, hence they are collectively called the eight consciousnesses. Even after attaining Buddhahood, the eight consciousnesses still retain their discriminative and cognitive natures, performing cognitive functions and discrimination regarding all dharmas.

What is discrimination? When you know all dharmas, that is discrimination. Without discrimination, there is no cognitive faculty. Without discrimination, there is complete ignorance, making one no different from wood. Therefore, even after becoming a Buddha, one still knows all dharmas, and this knowledge is more complete and luminous than that of sentient beings; there is not a single dharma unknown. The Buddha’s cognitive and discriminative faculties have reached utter perfection, ultimate completeness. When discriminating all dharmas, it is done with absolute clarity and thoroughness. The Buddha’s cognitive faculty pervades all time and space, without any obstruction or separation, devoid of the slightest ignorance or unawareness. The cognitive and discriminative faculties of the sentient beings' seventh consciousness are limited and hindered. Due to profound ignorance, their cognition is incomplete and non-luminous; they can only perceive an extremely small portion. As long as the seventh consciousness contains ignorance, afflictions, and defilements, its discriminative function suffers immense obstruction and hindrance.

Upon attaining Buddhahood, the eight consciousnesses still possess discriminative nature. However, their discrimination is imbued with immense wisdom, enabling them to completely and thoroughly comprehend all dharmas—forms, sounds, smells, tastes, tactile sensations, and so forth—and to discriminatively penetrate all dharmas within the Three Realms exhaustively. If it is said that the eight consciousnesses do not discriminate, what would be the state of non-discrimination? Non-discrimination would be like a stone. Sentient beings are not stones, and after becoming Buddhas, they are certainly not stones. Since they are not stones, the conscious mind naturally discriminates and cognizes various dharmas. Precisely because of this discriminative and cognitive nature, we can survive in this world and be living beings full of vitality.