The Imagined Nature of the Eighth Consciousness Cannot Alter the Self-Mind

All dharmas are manifestations of the eighth consciousness and are empty. Before the sixth and seventh consciousnesses realize this truth, it remains mere conjecture and hypothesis. When genuine realization is absent, the principle remains the principle, and you remain you; emptiness remains emptiness, and you remain you—the two are unrelated. The conjectures and hypotheses before enlightenment can never lead to true mental emptiness. After enlightenment, through continuous, effective observation of the eighth consciousness and the world of the five aggregates, the mind gradually becomes somewhat empty. Only after eliminating afflictions and attaining the stages of bodhisattvahood does the mind become largely empty, and not until after the eighth stage (bhūmi) is the vast majority of emptiness attained. Only upon genuine realization of the eighth consciousness, and gradually aligning with its pure nature, does successful alignment transform the sixth and seventh consciousnesses into wisdom, making one a noble bodhisattva. Complete successful alignment results in Buddhahood. Therefore, the emptiness of the eighth consciousness cannot substitute for the emptiness of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses. The sixth and seventh consciousnesses must undergo cultivation and realization to comprehend and actualize emptiness; only then can the mind become empty. Otherwise, one may speak of emptiness while the mind remains unempty, and afflictions and demons will not depart.

Before the sixth and seventh consciousnesses fully succeed in aligning with the eighth consciousness, the various pure natures possessed by the eighth consciousness do not indicate that the sixth and seventh consciousnesses are likewise. For example, the eighth consciousness never upholds precepts, yet the sixth and seventh consciousnesses cannot refrain from upholding precepts like the eighth consciousness. This is because the eighth consciousness lacks ignorance and afflictions, never violates precepts, and thus requires no precepts—it has no mind to transgress anything. The sixth and seventh consciousnesses, however, are heavily defiled by afflictions, constantly creating unwholesome karma for personal gain. If they do not uphold precepts, unwholesome karma will be endless, leading to endless unwholesome retribution, making it impossible to escape the miserable realms and the suffering of the six paths of rebirth, thus preventing liberation.

Another example: the eighth consciousness does not cultivate concentration, yet the sixth and seventh consciousnesses cannot refrain from cultivating concentration like it. This is because the eighth consciousness is never scattered, never clings to any dharma, possesses supreme wisdom, and abides constantly in concentration—neither entering nor exiting samādhi. The sixth and seventh consciousnesses, however, are scattered like monkeys, with thoughts constantly changing without stability; their minds are turbid like murky water, unable to perceive truth and reality clearly, burdened by dense ignorance and afflictions. Therefore, they must cultivate concentration to subdue their own minds, gain the capacity for wholesome contemplation, and seek genuine wisdom and liberation.

Yet another example: the eighth consciousness does not sever afflictions, yet the sixth and seventh consciousnesses cannot refrain from severing afflictions. This is because the eighth consciousness has no afflictions to sever, while the sixth and seventh consciousnesses harbor immense afflictions and ignorance. If not severed, they sink into the ocean of birth-and-death suffering with no hope of escape.

If one wishes to compare with the eighth consciousness, then compare how the eighth consciousness remains pure amidst worldly five desires and six dusts; the sixth and seventh consciousnesses should strive to be pure like it. Observe how the eighth consciousness is selfless and without ego; the sixth and seventh consciousnesses should emulate its selflessness. Observe how the eighth consciousness tirelessly labors to serve sentient beings without cease; the sixth and seventh consciousnesses should learn from this. Observe how the eighth consciousness is endowed with all wisdom; the sixth and seventh consciousnesses should diligently learn from this. Only through such emulation can one swiftly attain Buddhahood.

However, without genuine realization of the eighth consciousness, one cannot truly emulate it. The imagined nature of the eighth consciousness cannot become one's true object of focus and cannot transform one's own mind. Therefore, one must diligently cultivate the six pāramitās of the bodhisattva path to achieve genuine realization.