The Black Box World (IX)

All sentient beings, after perceiving the six dusts, believe that what they perceive is the real realm of the six dusts, thinking that these six dusts are genuine. Consequently, they develop feelings of attachment or aversion toward the six dusts, and after these feelings arise, they begin to deliberate. Following deliberation, they make choices, forming a resolute mind to decide how to act. This entire series of mental factors thus emerges and continues to operate repeatedly, all because they mistake the perceived realm as real. Once the five universal mental factors arise in sequence, their order may shift and repeat. The transitions among these mental factors are complex, depending on factors such as whether the perceived six dusts are of interest, whether they are easily discerned, or whether they are considered significant.

Not only are the visual forms seen and the sounds heard merely internal images—all occurring within the black box—but everything our body senses is also an internal image. What the body consciousness perceives, and even what the mental consciousness can perceive, are all internal images. These are all six-dust realms within the black box, illusions manifested by the eighth consciousness, devoid of true substance. For instance, when body consciousness perceives—such as knowing whether a bed is soft or hard while sitting on it, or whether a sofa is soft or hard and whether the body feels comfortable—we believe these tactile sensations are real. In fact, none of these are real; they are merely distinctions made about shadows, activities conducted entirely within the black box. As for the external aspect, only the eighth consciousness can access it—it exists outside the black box.