The discriminating nature and cognitive nature of the consciousness-mind

The seventh consciousness has the nature of discrimination; the seventh consciousness is inherently meant to discriminate. As long as the mind of the seventh consciousness exists, there is necessarily the nature of discrimination; if it did not discriminate, it could not appear in the three realms. The reason the first seven consciousnesses are called consciousnesses is that the self-nature of the conscious mind is precisely to discriminate or discern, and it always possesses the nature of discrimination; otherwise it would not be called a consciousness and would be no different from a piece of wood. Since the eighth consciousness is also called a consciousness, the eighth consciousness itself of course also has the nature of discrimination. All eight consciousnesses have the nature of discrimination, which is why they are called the eight consciousnesses. Even after attaining buddhahood, the eight consciousnesses still possess the nature of discrimination and discernment, discerning and discriminating all dharmas.

What is discrimination? When you know all dharmas, that is discrimination. Without discrimination, there is no capacity for knowing; without discrimination, one would know nothing at all and be no different from a piece of wood. Therefore, even after becoming a Buddha, one still knows all dharmas—and knows them more perfectly and more completely than we sentient beings do, with not a single dharma unknown. The Buddha's capacity for knowing and discriminating has reached thorough and ultimate perfection: when discriminating all dharmas, He does so with complete clarity and thoroughness. The Buddha's capacity for knowing pervades all times and spaces, without any obstruction or barrier, without the slightest ignorance or unknowing. The knowing and discriminating capacity of sentient beings' seventh consciousness has limitations and constraints; because ignorance is deep and heavy, what is known is not perfect or complete, and one can only know an extremely small part of it. As long as the seventh consciousness still contains ignorance, afflictions, and defilements, its discriminating nature is subject to great obscuration and hindrance.

At the time of buddhahood, the eight consciousnesses still possess the nature of discrimination; it is only that when discriminating, they possess immense wisdom, able to completely and thoroughly comprehend all dharmas such as form, sound, smell, taste, and touch, and to discriminate with utter thoroughness all dharmas of the world of the three realms. If it were said that none of the eight consciousnesses discriminate, what state would that be? Not discriminating is like a rock. Sentient beings are not rocks, and after attaining buddhahood, one is even less a rock. Since one is not a rock, the conscious mind of course must discriminate and know the various dharmas. It is precisely because of the nature of discrimination and discernment that we can survive in this world and be lively, vibrant sentient beings.