Regarding Seeing the Eighth Consciousness (Ālayavijñāna) with the Eyes

The eighth consciousness is formless and without marks, invisible to the physical eye, yet it can be seen by the mind eye, the wisdom eye, the dharma eye, and the Buddha eye. Among these, the wisdom eye, the dharma eye, and the Buddha eye are collectively called the mind eye; what these three eyes see differs enormously, because wisdom differs, and therefore what is seen must necessarily differ. How can the formless, markless substance of the eighth consciousness be seen? Although the substance of the eighth consciousness is empty and invisible, it has a great many operational modes of activity and functional capacities. The operational modes of activity of the eighth consciousness are also called mental activities (citta-caraṇa) and mental factors (caittas); its functional capacities are to accomplish the myriad dharmas and the tens of millions of dharmas, to manifest the features of all dharmas, and to endow all dharmas with their corresponding functions. The wisdom eye, being shallower and more limited in wisdom than the dharma eye and the Buddha eye, with obstructions, sees the modes of activity of the eighth consciousness only superficially and coarsely; the dharma eye sees the modes of activity of the eighth consciousness broadly and in fine detail; the Buddha eye is perfect and unobstructed, seeing the entirety of the eighth consciousness's modes of activity, so subtle that there is not a single dharma it does not know, not a single dharma it does not understand—illuminating all of heaven and earth, perceiving the finest hair's breadth.

The modes of activity of the eighth consciousness are observed through direct perception (pratyakṣa); those who have not realized enlightenment cannot see them. Those who have not awakened can only speculate about the functions the eighth consciousness performs, but cannot observe its modes of activity. From this point alone, one can completely determine whether a person is awakened or not, whether their awakening is genuine or false. The functional capacities of the eighth consciousness can be imagined from the Buddhist sutras and from the teachings of the patriarchs and great masters, and through inference one can also deduce their general functions; but it is very difficult to infer them in any finer detail. Subtle matters, unless heard from others, must be obtained through one's own direct observation. Therefore, every practitioner who wishes to attain genuine great wisdom, possessing the wisdom eye and the dharma eye, must diligently cultivate precepts, meditative concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (prajñā), put in painstaking effort, and engage in genuine practice and realization; only then can they have the merit and benefit of true liberation.