The Respective Characteristics of the Eight Consciousnesses

Which consciousnesses show up and take part in activities at the gates of the six faculties? Which consciousness has the greatest volume of activity at the gates of the six faculties?

The eight consciousnesses constantly radiate light at the gates of the six faculties. Among them, the eighth consciousness and the seventh consciousness cannot rest even for a moment; the five consciousnesses participate in the fewest activities; and the mind consciousness, even when the five consciousnesses are at rest, continues to operate—its volume of activity is the greatest.

Which consciousness's work performance is most easily discovered, and which consciousness's work is least known to others? Which consciousness is rather domineering, and which is very easygoing?

The mind consciousness's work is most easily detected, as it all takes place on the surface; the eighth consciousness's work is least known to others. The seventh consciousness is rather domineering and sometimes unreasonable. The eighth consciousness is the most easygoing—wherever it is pointed, it strikes.

Which consciousness likes to show off, and which consciousness remains unknown and unheralded?

The mind consciousness likes to show off; the eighth consciousness remains unknown and unheralded.

Which consciousness likes to be the leader, which consciousness is relatively obedient, and which consciousness is the hardest to manipulate?

The seventh consciousness likes to be the leader; the five consciousnesses are relatively obedient; the mind consciousness is not easy to manipulate.

Between whom does friction and struggle constantly arise, and between whom is the cooperation seamless?

Friction constantly arises between the manas and the mind consciousness; the cooperation between the eighth consciousness and the manas is seamless.

Which consciousness is best at understanding the people's conditions, and which consciousness cares most about its subordinates?

The mind consciousness is best at understanding the people's conditions; the manas cares most about its subordinates.

Which consciousness stands by with folded arms, and which consciousness always regards matters as none of its business and leaves them hanging high?

The eighth consciousness stands by with folded arms in all matters, participating in nothing.

Which consciousness meddles the most, and which consciousness is the most pure?

The manas meddles the most; the eighth consciousness is the most pure.

Which consciousness worries about itself the most, and which consciousness is always so anxious that it cannot sleep?

The manas worries about itself the most and is frequently anxious.

Which consciousness most protects the body, and which consciousness is the wise one only after the fact?

The manas most protects the body—this has become habitual; the mind consciousness is the wise one only after the fact, capable of reflection.

Which consciousness is the hands-off shopkeeper, and which consciousness attends to every detail, great or small?

The eighth consciousness is the hands-off shopkeeper; the seventh consciousness manages every detail, great or small.

Which consciousness provides the guarantee of livelihood, and which consciousness likes to distribute daily necessities?

The eighth consciousness provides the guarantee; the manas is responsible for distributing daily necessities.

Which consciousness likes to form cliques yet has no social ability, and which has wide connections and strong social skills?

The seventh consciousness has no ability to socialize and has no tools for it. The mind consciousness has strong social skills.

Which consciousness obediently follows the leader's arrangements without complaint, and which consciousness always struggles against the leader and has the most complaints?

The five consciousnesses are obedient; the mind consciousness loves to resist.

Which consciousness corrects its mistakes as soon as it knows them, and which consciousness knows its mistakes but finds them hard to correct?

The manas corrects its mistakes as soon as it knows them, because it is the master and has the final say. The mind consciousness knows its mistakes but finds them hard to correct, because it cannot be the master and does not have the final say.

Which consciousness never knows right from wrong, and which consciousness never makes mistakes? The eighth consciousness.

Which consciousness is easy to educate and transform, and which consciousness always defends its shortcomings and puts up stubborn resistance?

The mind consciousness is easy to transform; the manas has deep-rooted chronic afflictions that are hard to change.

The eighth consciousness takes everything upon itself, attending to every detail, doing both good and bad deeds, playing both the good person and the bad. It is the eighth consciousness that establishes the Dharma and that breaks the Dharma; He is present throughout the cycle of the six realms of rebirth, and becoming a Buddha or a patriarch is also accomplished by Him.