Only with Complete Vijñapti-mātra Seed Wisdom Can One Directly Perceive the Mental Factors of Smṛti and Cetanā in the Eighth Consciousness

Logically speaking, every consciousness, including the eighth consciousness, possesses mindfulness (念心所), albeit with different modes and contents. The operations of the seventh and eighth consciousnesses are so profoundly subtle and concealed that individuals lacking sufficient concentration (定) and wisdom (慧) cannot observe them at all. Consequently, the mental states (心念) of these two consciousnesses remain utterly indiscernible, except for those who have fully attained the Wisdom of Consciousness-Only (唯识種智), enabling them to gradually observe a portion.

In the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, the Sixth Patriarch states: "Suchness (真如) is without mindfulness and yet not without mindfulness." In truth, what dharma is not manifested by Suchness? "Suchness is without cognition and yet not without cognition." What dharma is not known by Suchness? Without cognition, it could neither transform and create nor grasp and sustain; without mindfulness, all dharmas would cease. The crucial point lies in how the eighth consciousness is mindful, what it is mindful of, how it cognizes, and what it cognizes. One must not equate the mindfulness and cognition of the eighth consciousness with that of the six consciousnesses, nor with that of the seventh consciousness. Ultimately, the mindfulness and cognitive nature of all eight consciousnesses differ; each possesses distinct characteristics. These issues also fall within the scope of the Wisdom of Consciousness-Only. Without transforming the consciousnesses of the mental faculty (意根) and the sixth consciousness (意識) into wisdom, one cannot deeply investigate these matters and will find them difficult to comprehend.

The mental factor of volition (思心所) signifies the nature of deliberation (思量性), the nature of discernment/decision (抉擇性), and the nature of karmic formation/activity (造作性). It is primarily characterized by action and signifies movement. The eighth consciousness also possesses the mental factor of volition and has the nature of activity. It ceaselessly, moment by moment, discerns, decides, and forms all dharmas. However, its mode of activity differs from that of the other seven consciousnesses. The activity and non-activity of the eighth consciousness are not as understood by ordinary Buddhist practitioners. The conceptual thinking and interpretations of ordinary people cannot fathom it. Only those who have attained sufficient meditative absorption (禪定) and wisdom can genuinely realize these dharmas.