What Does the Consciousness in the Twelve Links and Ten Links of Dependent Origination Refer to Respectively?

The twelve links of dependent origination: ignorance conditions volitional formations (avidyā-pratyayāḥ saṃskārāḥ), volitional formations condition consciousness, consciousness conditions name-and-form. Here, "consciousness" refers to the six consciousnesses, because the bodily, verbal, and mental actions created by the six consciousnesses store karmic seeds for future lives, and only by entering the womb can there be name-and-form in later lives. However, in the ten links of dependent origination, where it says consciousness conditions name-and-form, and name-and-form conditions consciousness, the "consciousness" here does not refer to the six consciousnesses. Because the meaning of "name-and-form conditions consciousness" is that name-and-form depends on this consciousness in order to have the phenomena of arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing; this consciousness exists first, and only afterward is there name-and-form, and only then the six consciousnesses. Name-and-form already includes the six consciousnesses, so the six consciousnesses arise in dependence upon name-and-form; they are subject to arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing, and they also depend on this consciousness in order to have arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing.

Therefore, the consciousness in "name-and-form conditions consciousness" and the six consciousnesses are not in an identical relationship, but rather a relationship of that which gives birth and that which is given birth to. This consciousness is the fundamental consciousness that exists prior to heaven and earth, the Ālayavijñāna, which is unborn and unceasing and can give birth to all dharmas.