The Conditioned Realm Perceived by the Seventh Consciousness

The seventh consciousness perceives the seeing aspect of the eighth consciousness. After the eighth consciousness perceives the essential realm, it apprehends the subtle particles of the four great elements, forming the initial image. This image carries the substantial seeds of the four great elements from the essential realm. When the seventh consciousness perceives this, it mistakenly considers it as its own perception, believing all this to be the self, thereby giving rise to an attaching mind. Relying on the eighth consciousness, it transmits dharmas imbued with the qualities of the four great elements to the subtle sense faculties, utilizing the six consciousnesses for discrimination and grasping. However, the dharmas transmitted to the subtle sense faculties are no longer the original dharmas initially perceived by the seventh consciousness; they are merely similar. The six consciousnesses, unaware of this principle, all take them as real. The perceived aspect existing between the seventh and eighth consciousnesses manifests in two places: one arises within the mind of the seventh consciousness, and the other arises within the minds of the six consciousnesses. Yet, there exists a certain difference between the perceived aspects apprehended by the sixth and seventh consciousnesses. Unaware of this difference, the sixth and seventh consciousnesses disregard it. This too is ignorance.

The perceived aspect transmitted into the "black box" of the subtle sense faculties is apprehended by the six consciousnesses. After apprehension, it manifests within the minds of the six consciousnesses. The perceived aspect within the minds of the six consciousnesses, like an image in a mirror, undergoes a qualitative change; it no longer carries the substantial seeds of the four great elements from the essential realm. This is called "seemingly substantial" (seemingly carrying substance), also known as "falsely substantial" (falsely carrying substance). It resembles the external perceived aspect, resembles the essential realm, and resembles the truly substantial realm (realm of true substance).

If a person with spiritual powers trains the six consciousnesses well, remaining unmoved like a mountain by all objects of the six dusts (sense objects), knowing them to be illusory and without real substance, then the perceived aspects of the six dusts within the "black box" of the subtle sense faculties will have no effect whatsoever on the body of the six consciousnesses. High mountains and vast oceans cannot obstruct the body of the six consciousnesses, because mountains and rivers are false realms, false perceived aspects—they are like images in a mirror, possessing no substantial effect. Great fire burning the body of the six consciousnesses causes the six consciousnesses to remain unmoved; fire burning and knives cutting the body present no obstruction, because fire and knives are false realms, false dharmas—like perceived aspects in a mirror—what substantial force could they possibly have?

Sentient beings do not understand this principle and lack meditative concentration. Therefore, when objects appear, the mind is moved and they penetrate the heart-mind, causing injury to body and mind. To be harmed by false realms—is it not unjust? Is it not disheartening? Is it not grievous?