The Meaning of "Abiding in Non-Abiding and Giving Rise to the Mind"

“Dwelling nowhere, the mind is born” means that the mind operates by responding to all conditions without dwelling on any condition. When the seventh consciousness operates the mind with dwelling, the eighth consciousness always operates without dwelling, regardless of what conditions it encounters. After the sixth and seventh consciousnesses sever the view of self and attain enlightenment, eliminating the afflictions of ignorance, they too will operate by responding to conditions without dwelling. There is a process and scope to this: the thinner the ignorance, the lighter the afflictions, the purer the sixth and seventh consciousnesses, the less influence conditions have on them, and the more they respond to conditions without dwelling. Why does the eighth consciousness dwell nowhere when responding to conditions? Because the eighth consciousness is not the ignorant, afflicted mind of the worldly realm; it neither knows nor differentiates the worldly appearances of conditions, thus it does not grasp at worldly appearances, and the mind dwells nowhere.

“Responding” (应) means to respond to or deal with. “Born” (生) does not mean birth from non-existence to existence, but rather the continuous operation or functioning. For the sixth and seventh consciousnesses to respond to conditions without dwelling, it can only be achieved after seeing through the true nature of conditions. The more thorough and ultimate the seeing-through, the more they dwell nowhere. Because conditions are empty, what necessity is there to dwell and give rise to afflictions? What necessity is there to grasp? After seeing through this, the mind, being empty, lets go. When operating within worldly phenomena, it will function without attachment, no longer grasping at phenomenal appearances. Worldly phenomena, even if present, are as if non-existent; the mind is clear and unobstructed. The heavier the ignorance, the more importance is placed on worldly phenomena, and the more the mind dwells on them.

Dedication Verse: With all the merit from Dharma propagation and group practice on our online platform, we dedicate it to all sentient beings throughout the Dharma realm, and to the people of the world. We pray for world peace, that wars cease; no flames of war arise, weapons forever laid down; all calamities completely subside! We pray that the people of all nations unite in mutual aid, treating each other with compassion; for favorable weather and national prosperity with people at peace! May all sentient beings deeply believe in cause and effect, harbor compassionate hearts free from killing; widely forge wholesome connections, widely cultivate wholesome karma; believe in the Buddha, learn the Buddha-Dharma, and increase their wholesome roots; understand suffering, cease its origin, aspire to cessation, and cultivate the path; close the door to the evil destinies, open the road to Nirvana! May Buddhism flourish forever, the true Dharma abide eternally; transform the burning house of the three realms into the lotus land of ultimate bliss!