Manifestations of Laxity in the First Seven Consciousnesses

Modern people are too attached to worldly affairs, so they always perceive everything in the world as good and desirable. Such people will never feel disillusioned with the world and find it extremely difficult to develop a renunciation mind. They fail to see the suffering and dark aspects of the world, perceiving only its illusory pleasures—all because their hearts are heavily burdened by worldly cravings. Whether one’s mind is inclined toward worldly entanglements or liberation from them is clearly expressed in their speech, yet they themselves remain unaware, lacking self-reflection and inner awakening.

Due to attachment to the mundane, the six faculties and their corresponding consciousnesses become indulgent. The indulgence of eye-consciousness is the unrestrained viewing of forms; ear-consciousness indulgence is the heedless hearing of sounds; nose-consciousness indulgence is the preference for fragrances and aversion to foul odors; tongue-consciousness indulgence is the craving for delicious flavors; body-consciousness indulgence is the pursuit of comfort and ease; mind-consciousness indulgence manifests as distraction, dullness, and restlessness; the indulgence of the mental faculty (manas) is the tendency to grasp and cling everywhere. The Arhats’ six faculties are never indulgent—they absolutely refrain from looking, listening, smelling, tasting, or touching indiscriminately, and their minds remain free from scattered thoughts.

Some people always enjoy eating and savoring delicacies—this is the joint indulgence of tongue-consciousness and mind-consciousness. Some are always fond of inhaling fragrances—this is the joint indulgence of nose-consciousness and mind-consciousness. Some constantly seek fine clothing, comfortable beds, and all forms of physical ease—this is the joint indulgence of body-consciousness and mind-consciousness. Some habitually dwell on the past or cling to the future—this is the indulgence of the mind-consciousness. Some persistently grasp at everything they encounter—this is the indulgence of the mental faculty (manas).

Learn from our eighth consciousness: It has no preferences whatsoever, abiding constantly in stillness. It knows no greed, no hatred, no delusion, no self-view. It does not assert control but lives in accordance with conditions, yet there are ultimately no conditions to live by. If the seventh consciousness were like this, it would be more than sufficient for attaining Buddhahood.