How to Correctly Understand the Consciousness Aggregate (Part 1)

The original text from the Sūtra of Upholding the World:

The Buddha told Upholding the World (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), "What does it mean for a bodhisattva-mahāsattva to correctly observe and discern the consciousness aggregate (vijñānaskandha)? A bodhisattva-mahāsattva observes that there is no aggregate which is the consciousness aggregate. The inverted aggregate is the consciousness aggregate. The delusional aggregate is the consciousness aggregate. Why is this so, Upholding the World? Because this consciousness aggregate arises from inversion. It is bound by delusional conditions. It exists due to past karma and is bound by present conditions. Belonging to various causes and conditions, it is illusory, unreal, and devoid of substantial existence."

Explanation: The Buddha told the bodhisattva Upholding the World: What is called a bodhisattva-mahāsattva’s correct observation and understanding of the consciousness aggregate? A bodhisattva-mahāsattva observes that there is no aggregate called the consciousness aggregate; the consciousness aggregate is devoid of substantial existence. The inverted aggregate is the consciousness aggregate; the delusional aggregate is the consciousness aggregate. Why is it said this way? Upholding the World, because the consciousness aggregate arises from an inverted mind. The consciousness aggregate is bound by delusional karmic conditions. The consciousness aggregate is produced from past-life karma and is bound by present karmic conditions. Since the consciousness aggregate arises solely from the coming together of numerous causes and conditions, it is delusional, devoid of substantial existence, and empty.

Realizing the delusory nature of the coarse aspect of the consciousness aggregate is the patience with non-arising (anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti). Realizing the delusory nature of its most subtle aspect is the patience with the non-arising of dharmas (anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti). Originally, there is no dharmic entity. Within this absence of dharmic entity, the consciousness aggregate is forcibly established due to the power of causes and conditions. Thus, the consciousness aggregate is delusory, illusory, and devoid of substantial existence. Tolerating this truth is the patience with non-arising or the patience with the non-arising of dharmas.

Original text:

"It arises from recollection, conceptualization, and discrimination. It arises from consciousness. Because there is cognition, it is called 'consciousness.' It arises from the mental activity of recollection, conceptualization, discernment, and examination. It exists provisionally. Because there is cognition, it is counted as 'consciousness.' Because it cognizes various objects, because it gives rise to mental karma, because of thinking, because of the characteristic of arising from conditions, because it gives rise to various thoughts, it is counted as the consciousness aggregate. From having cognition, cognitive images appear. It manifests mental karma. It encompasses thinking. Therefore, it is counted as the consciousness aggregate."

Explanation: The consciousness aggregate arises due to the mental faculty’s recollection, conceptualization, and discrimination; it arises from the ālayavijñāna (storehouse consciousness). Because the consciousness aggregate has the function of cognition, it is called the consciousness aggregate. Because the consciousness aggregate is born from the discernment and examination of the mental faculty’s recollection and conceptualization, and because it provisionally exists through the conjunction of numerous conditions, and further because it has the functional capacity for cognition, it falls within the count of the five aggregates and is named the consciousness aggregate. Because the consciousness aggregate cognizes dharmas, because it gives rise to mental karmic actions, because the consciousness aggregate can generate thinking, because there is the characteristic of arising from the conjunction of many conditions, and because it can give rise to various thoughts, it falls within the count of the five aggregates and is named the consciousness aggregate.

Original text:

"It is sometimes called 'mind' (citta), sometimes called 'mentation' (manas), sometimes called 'consciousness' (vijñāna). All are due to the discrimination of mental karma. They are encompassed by the consciousness aggregate. Because the characteristic, activity, and nature of consciousness are manifested, it is counted as the consciousness aggregate. Thus, this non-aggregate is the consciousness aggregate. It neither arises, nor manifests, nor acts. Yet, due to conditions corresponding with inversion, and because it is delusional consciousness, it is counted as the consciousness aggregate."

Explanation: The consciousness aggregate is sometimes called 'mind' (citta), sometimes called 'mentation' (manas), and sometimes called 'consciousness' (vijñāna). All belong to the discrimination of mental karma and are encompassed by the consciousness aggregate. The characteristic of consciousness, its activity, and its nature are manifested. Therefore, it falls within the count of the five aggregates and is named the consciousness aggregate. Like this, what is fundamentally not an aggregate entering the aggregates is called the consciousness aggregate. The consciousness aggregate, in truth, has never arisen, has never manifested function, and has no inherent capability or action. Yet, due to karmic conditions corresponding with inversion and the delusional cognition of dharmas, it falls within the count of the five aggregates and is named the consciousness aggregate.

Original text:

"Why is this so? Because this consciousness aggregate arises from various causes and conditions. It has no intrinsic nature. It arises sequentially and continuously. Moment by moment, it arises and ceases. This consciousness-condition does not produce the characteristic of an aggregate. Why? Because the arising characteristic of this consciousness aggregate is unobtainable. Its definite characteristic is also unobtainable. Because the arising characteristic is unobtainable, and because the definite characteristic is unobtainable, it is fundamentally devoid of substantial existence. Because its own characteristic is non-existent, a solid and enduring characteristic is unobtainable."

Explanation: Why is it said this way? Because the consciousness aggregate arises from the conjunction of numerous causes and conditions. Therefore, it has no inherent self-nature. The consciousness aggregate arises sequentially and continuously; each moment is subject to arising and ceasing. Such consciousness-condition does not produce the characteristic of the aggregates (entering existence). Why? Because the characteristic of arising of the consciousness aggregate is unobtainable. The consciousness aggregate does not arise, thus it has no characteristic of arising. The characteristic of definite existence is also unobtainable. The arising characteristic of the consciousness aggregate is unobtainable; the characteristic of definite existence is unobtainable. The consciousness aggregate is fundamentally devoid of substantial existence. The characteristic of its own self-nature is also devoid of substantial existence. The characteristic of solidity and endurance is also devoid of substantial existence.