Q&A on Non-abiding

Question: How can one achieve non-abiding in daily life? Does it mean not discriminating when the six consciousnesses encounter the six dusts?

Answer: This pertains purely to the methods of cultivating concentration and subduing afflictions. To correspond with wisdom, one should observe the illusory and unreal nature of the six dusts when the six sense faculties contact them. Realize that the realms of the six dusts are reflections manifested by the tathāgatagarbha, like objects in the tathāgatagarbha's mirror. They belong to the tathāgatagarbha, are of the nature of tathāgatagarbha, and are not truly existent realms. Generating such thoughts is the correct mindfulness, corresponding with the wisdom of true reality. This enables liberation from the bondage of realms and attainment of mental liberation.

Non-abiding is the result. Cultivated to the end, the seventh consciousness becomes pure like the tathāgatagarbha, transforming into a non-learning Mahayana bodhisattva. Many people study Buddhism but become increasingly attached as they learn. Not only do they fail to reduce clinging and afflictions or lessen worldly involvement, they actually increase the fetters of worldly dharmas, augmenting afflictions and attachments. This is the outcome of forgetting the bodhicitta in Dharma study, a result arising from having worldly desires in the practice.

Question: This might be the most ultimate explanation regarding "responding without abiding yet generating the mind." Non-abiding in the six dusts, not dwelling in the six dusts, does not hinder the discernment of them. After discernment, no traces remain. Because all six dusts are reflections of the eighth consciousness, those with wisdom know it is impossible to abide in reflections; even apparent abiding is non-abiding. For those who have realized the mind, they can align with the non-abiding nature of the tathāgatagarbha. The question is: Does "responding without abiding yet generating the mind" refer to the state before or after enlightenment? Please, Master, provide guidance.

Answer: Finding that mind which is originally non-abiding is the realization of the mind (明心). After realization, one continuously observes the non-abiding nature of the eighth consciousness as it gives rise to the five aggregates (body and mind) during their functioning. One observes the non-abiding nature of the eighth consciousness as it produces and sustains the six dusts. Only then does the seventh consciousness perceive such a mind as pure, as the Buddha's mind. Thus, the seventh consciousness compares itself to it and, gradually influenced by the eighth consciousness, also begins to abide nowhere in the six dust realms during worldly activities. The mind becomes increasingly pure. This is the post-enlightenment alignment with the pure, non-abiding eighth consciousness—a true alignment after genuine realization. It is not aligning during conceptual understanding (解悟); successful alignment is what constitutes a realized being (证悟者). Claiming that one aligns after conceptual understanding to achieve realization is a great misconception; there is no such teaching that alignment after conceptual understanding leads to realization.