Two Interpretations of "Abide Nowhere, Yet Arise the Mind"

"The phrase 'One should generate the mind without abiding anywhere' carries two meanings. The first and most fundamental meaning refers to the inherent nature of our true suchness, the eighth consciousness, which abides nowhere within any dharma yet continuously generates minds outwardly. Here, 'generating minds' signifies its capacity to produce and transform all phenomena, which is the essential characteristic of true suchness. The second meaning pertains to our deluded mind (the seventh consciousness), which should also learn from the eighth consciousness—to emulate its way of abiding nowhere within any dharma while functioning within all dharmas. When the five aggregates function, whether in worldly dharmas or Buddha-dharma, they too should learn from the eighth consciousness by not abiding anywhere within any dharma.

To enable our deluded mind and five aggregates to 'generate the mind without abiding anywhere' like the inherent nature of the eighth consciousness, one must immerse oneself in the Dharma of the eighth consciousness, the true suchness of Mahayana, and realize the eighth consciousness. Only after this realization can one gradually observe the pure nature of the eighth consciousness, allowing our five aggregates to gradually draw closer to it. Then, like the eighth consciousness, we can engage in all worldly dharmas and transcendental dharmas, and while creating conditioned dharmas, we will not abide in any dharma appearances nor cling to them while practicing the Bodhisattva path.

To attribute all appearances of dharmas to the true suchness, the eighth consciousness, requires comprehensive immersion before enlightenment. Prior to realization, this is merely a semblance of abiding and learning from the eighth consciousness. In truth, before realization, your mind cannot rely on the inherent nature of the eighth consciousness to create conditioned worldly dharmas. Before enlightenment, it is immersion; after enlightenment, one can directly perceive the functioning of the eighth consciousness as it truly is. While observing it, one simultaneously learns from it and draws near, gradually transforming one's mental activities. Only at the final stage can one achieve 'generating the mind without abiding anywhere,' where 'generating the mind' means that whenever the seventh consciousness arises, it must function within the dharmas of the triple realm.

The fundamental eighth consciousness also 'generates the mind.' The so-called 'generating the mind' means it continuously produces the conditioned dharmas of the triple realm. All dharmas within the triple realm are produced by the eighth consciousness; thus, the inherent nature of the eighth consciousness possesses mental activity. The five universal mental factors constitute the mental activity of the eighth consciousness. It employs these five universal mental factors to extensively create all appearances of worldly dharmas, yet it abides nowhere within any worldly dharma appearances. This is the meaning of 'One should generate the mind without abiding anywhere.' Herein lie both the fundamental meaning and the conventional meaning. If only the meaning pertaining to the eighth consciousness were stated, ordinary people would be unable to comprehend it. Therefore, both meanings must be explained to convey the complete sense."