The Eighth Consciousness Can Be Directly Observed

After attaining enlightenment, one can directly perceive the manifestations of the eighth consciousness and clearly distinguish them from the manifestations of the other seven consciousnesses, without falling into the five aggregates of the seven consciousnesses. For example, when red beans and green beans are mixed together, they can be instantly distinguished, as clearly separate as the waters of the Jing and Wei rivers, without any ambiguity. Within the aggregates of the five skandhas, regardless of which phenomenon's operation is observed, one can immediately know how the eighth consciousness operates, how the six consciousnesses operate. Observing the operation of the seventh consciousness is relatively difficult, but it should become observable at a certain stage. During the process of directly perceiving the manifestations of the eight consciousnesses, the manifestations of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses might not be easily separable and could be confused, but the manifestation of the eighth consciousness should be quickly discernible, preventing it from being confused with the sixth and seventh consciousnesses, thereby avoiding confusion between the true and the false.

Therefore, the eighth consciousness can be directly realized. Although the essence of the eighth consciousness is invisible, its manifestations and functional activities can be directly observed. Through the manifestations and functions of the eighth consciousness, one can realize its invisible essence. The essence of the eighth consciousness is fundamentally distinct from the essence of worldly phenomena. The essence of worldly phenomena—the objects of the six senses (forms, sounds, smells, tastes, tactile sensations, and mental objects)—can be perceived and discerned by the five sense consciousnesses, and even more easily by the mental consciousness. The eighth consciousness, however, is not like this. Thus, the manifestations of the eighth consciousness are extremely subtle. Without sufficient prajñā (wisdom), it is fundamentally impossible to see or observe it. That is why so many people claim that the eighth consciousness is merely a name, that its essence does not exist, that it is empty. Such a view involves a tremendous misunderstanding, sufficient to obstruct one's own bodhisattva path, causing the attainment of Buddhahood to remain distant.