Can the Activities of the Six Consciousnesses Involve External Forms?

Since the six dusts we contact are all inner manifestations, then the big tree we see is an inner manifestation; it exists within the black box, and our six consciousnesses cannot contact the outer manifestation. So, if the five-aggregate body with its six consciousnesses cuts down the tree, is it destroying the tree's inner manifestation or the outer manifestation? Does the big tree outside still exist? If one kills a person, is it killing the inner manifestation or the outer manifestation of that person? If it is killing the inner manifestation of the person, then it should not be called killing a person, because that person would still be alive. If it is killing the outer manifestation of the person, the six consciousnesses cannot contact the outer manifestation. When we hit someone, are we hitting our own outer manifestation or inner manifestation? If we are hitting our own inner manifestation, the other person should not feel pain. If we are hitting our own outer manifestation, our six consciousnesses cannot contact the outer manifestation. What is really happening here?

Cutting down the big tree, if it only destroys the tree's inner manifestation, then the tree's outer manifestation would still exist, meaning the big tree was not actually cut down, and the act of cutting down the tree is not established. If it is destroying the tree's outer manifestation, the six consciousnesses cannot contact the tree's outer manifestation. Stealing someone else's property—is it stealing the inner manifestation or the outer manifestation of the property? If it is stealing the inner manifestation of the property, it should not constitute a legal offense. If it is stealing the outer manifestation of the property, the six consciousnesses cannot contact the outer manifestation.

Actually, the true principle is that the inner manifestation depends on the outer manifestation for its existence; the outer manifestation comes first, followed by the inner manifestation. Without the outer manifestation, there is no inner manifestation. Therefore, when a person destroys an object, it is not only destroying the inner manifestation; it certainly also destroys the outer manifestation. Moreover, the outer manifestation is destroyed first, and the inner manifestation subsequently follows and is destroyed as well. The outer manifestation of that object is definitely destroyed or disappears; others can no longer benefit from it or see it, so the outer manifestation must be gone.

That is why it is said that destroying property is an offense, stealing is an offense, and killing people is an offense. It is precisely because the outer manifestation is destroyed, causing loss to others and preventing them from benefiting from it, and not merely involving one's own inner manifestation. If only the inner manifestation were destroyed, then killing billions of people would not be an offense, and no one could hold anyone accountable. Therefore, killing people, cutting down trees, destroying property, and stealing all involve the essence of the outer manifestation, and thus constitute offenses.

Since the six consciousnesses can only contact the inner manifestation and cannot contact the outer manifestation, why can the actions and karmic activities of the six consciousnesses still bring about changes in the outer manifestation? Herein lies a great secret. The outer manifestation is the relatively real material world composed of the four great elements externally. This reality is also relative to the inner manifestation; in truth, it is not real either. It is also manifested by the Tathagatagarbha; its essence is still illusory. The only true dharma is the eighth consciousness, the Tathagatagarbha; all other dharmas are illusory.