The Five Specific Mental Factors of the Seven Consciousnesses

The five distinct mental factors of the seventh consciousness are: volition, conviction, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. Due to ignorance, the mental factors of concentration, wisdom, and conviction within these five do not manifest and operate at all times and in all places for the seventh consciousness; rather, they manifest only occasionally. Because of ignorance, the seventh consciousness sometimes lacks concentration; because of ignorance, the seventh consciousness sometimes lacks wisdom; because of ignorance, the seventh consciousness sometimes cannot comprehend the meaning of the Dharma. If ignorance is extinguished and no longer obstructs the seventh consciousness, the seventh consciousness will then be in concentration at all times and in all places, as is the case with bodhisattvas of the seventh and eighth grounds and above, and with all Buddhas; it will possess wisdom at all times and in all places, like all Buddhas; and it will be able to comprehend the meaning of the Dharma at all times and in all places, like all Buddhas.

However, the fundamental Buddha tathāgata-garbha undefiled consciousness of all Buddhas is constantly in concentration at all times and in all places, always possesses great wisdom, and can comprehend all dharmas, being free from ignorance. The eighth consciousness of sentient beings is also like this, but it differs from the seventh consciousness in the content of its concentration, wisdom, and comprehension. The seventh consciousness possesses concentration, wisdom, and comprehension within the context of the Four Noble Truths, whereas the eighth consciousness comprehends not worldly dharmas, its concentration is not worldly concentration, and its wisdom is certainly not worldly wisdom.