Black Box World (46)

In truth, the actual principle is that the internal perceived division exists based on the external perceived division; the external perceived division comes first, followed by the internal perceived division. Without the external perceived division, there would be no internal perceived division. Therefore, when a person destroys an object, they are not only destroying the internal perceived division but also certainly destroying the external perceived division. Moreover, the external perceived division is destroyed first, and the internal perceived division subsequently follows in being destroyed. The external perceived division of that object is definitely destroyed or vanishes, rendering it inaccessible to others or impossible to see again—thus, the external perceived division ceases to exist.

Hence, it is said that destroying things is sinful, stealing is sinful, and committing murder is sinful. This is precisely because destroying the external perceived division causes loss to others, depriving them of its use, and is not merely a matter concerning one’s own internal perceived division. If destruction were limited to one’s own internal perceived division, then killing hundreds of millions of people would incur no sin, and no one could hold them accountable. Therefore, acts such as killing, cutting down trees, destroying property, and stealing all involve the essence of the external perceived division, and thus incur sin.

Since the six consciousnesses can only contact the internal perceived division and cannot access the external perceived division, how is it that the actions and functions of the six consciousnesses still involve changes to the external perceived division? Herein lies a great secret. The external perceived division is the relatively real material world composed of the four great elements externally. This reality is also relative to the internal perceived division; in truth, it is not real either, being an illusion manifested by the Tathāgatagarbha. Its essence remains delusional. The only true reality is the eighth consciousness, the Tathāgatagarbha; all other phenomena are illusory.

There is a saying: “Afflictions are enlightenment itself.” Afflictions refer, on the one hand, to greed, hatred, delusion, murder, arson, and other unwholesome acts, and on the other hand, to daily routines like eating and excretion. Enlightenment refers to the Tathāgatagarbha. All phenomena are manifested and sustained by the Tathāgatagarbha, and so is the external perceived division. Thus, the arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing of the external perceived division are all accomplished by the Tathāgatagarbha, and the internal perceived division is likewise manifested and sustained by it. All transformations of mountains, rivers, and the great earth are the work of the eighth consciousness, the Tathāgatagarbha; the arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing of all phenomena are the work of the eighth consciousness, the Tathāgatagarbha. The six consciousnesses can never directly alter the external perceived division because they contain no seeds and do not correspond to it. Moreover, the six consciousnesses are phenomena that arise later; the internal perceived division must exist first before the six consciousnesses can arise. Therefore, the six consciousnesses cannot directly change the external perceived division. The Tathāgatagarbha contains the seeds of the four great elements and the six great elements; thus, all phenomena are governed by the Tathāgatagarbha. Consequently, the direction for investigating these issues is already quite clear.

Since the six consciousnesses can only contact the internal perceived division and cannot access the external perceived division, how is it that the actions and functions of the six consciousnesses still involve changes to the external perceived division? Herein lies a great secret. When my hand picks up a book from the table, the hand can only contact the internal perceived division of the book; what is picked up is the book as the internal perceived division. Yet, the book in the external perceived division is no longer on the table—others cannot see it or obtain it. What, then, is the connection between the internal and external perceived divisions? Which comes first, the internal or the external perceived division? Naturally, the external perceived division comes first. Which changes first, the external or the internal perceived division? Naturally, the external perceived division changes first. Where does the internal perceived division come from? It is, of course, manifested by the eighth consciousness, the Tathāgatagarbha, based on the external perceived division.