Can ordinary sentient beings cling to the eighth consciousness (Ālayavijñāna) as self?

Only after one has realized the eighth consciousness does one begin to grasp the eighth consciousness as self; before realizing the eighth consciousness, the manas of ordinary beings has no way to grasp the eighth consciousness as self. After truly realizing the eighth consciousness and attaining enlightenment, through continued cultivation thereafter, one must also gradually eradicate the manas's grasping of the eighth consciousness in order to pass the third gate of the Chan school and attain liberation.

If sentient beings could grasp the eighth consciousness, they would no longer grasp the five aggregates as self. If one has not realized the eighth consciousness, how could one grasp the eighth consciousness? Everyone should go ahead and grasp the eighth consciousness—as long as one can grasp the eighth consciousness even a little, one will give rise to a bit of the samādhi of suchness, and the merit will be immeasurable.