The Relationship Between the Six Consciousnesses and the Seventh Consciousness

The seventh consciousness is called the basis of defilement and purity (kleśa-śuddhi-āśraya). The defilement and purity of the sixth consciousness both depend upon the seventh consciousness: when the seventh consciousness is pure, the sixth consciousness is pure; when the seventh consciousness is defiled, the sixth consciousness is defiled. Therefore, the seventh consciousness is the key factor determining whether the mind-ground is pure or not. If the seventh consciousness has greed, hatred, and delusion, the sixth consciousness must have greed, hatred, and delusion; if the seventh consciousness is without greed, hatred, and delusion, the sixth consciousness must be without greed, hatred, and delusion. If the seventh consciousness is ignorant, the sixth consciousness must be ignorant; if the seventh consciousness is enlightened, the sixth consciousness must be enlightened. When the seventh consciousness transforms consciousness into wisdom, the sixth consciousness will certainly transform consciousness into wisdom as well. The seventh consciousness is the master; the sixth consciousness is the follower, the servant, the companion.