Spiritual Practice Is to Eliminate the Defilements of the Seven Consciousnesses

The term "Alaya-vijñāna" is used by sentient beings before the eighth ground (bhūmi) of Bodhisattvahood. After reaching the eighth ground, it is renamed "Vipāka-vijñāna." The name "Alaya-vijñāna" signifies that within the Tathāgatagarbha of sentient beings, there still exist the karmic seeds of the afflictions of the seven consciousnesses and the seeds of habitual tendencies of afflictions. These seeds are all subject to birth, cessation, and change. When combined with the unborn and unceasing Tathāgatagarbha, they form the Alaya-vijñāna, which is neither born nor ceases. If the defiled karmic seeds of the seven consciousnesses stored within the Tathāgatagarbha are eliminated, and the seven consciousnesses eradicate afflictions as well as the habitual tendencies of afflictions, the Alaya-vijñāna is then renamed Vipāka-vijñāna.

Spiritual practice entails eliminating the ignorance and defilement of the seven consciousnesses, eradicating the greed, hatred, delusion, and habitual tendencies of afflictions within them, and gradually transforming them into consciousnesses of pure nature. During this process, realizing the Tathāgatagarbha is crucial. Only by realizing the Tathāgatagarbha can one know the true reality of the Dharma realm, recognize the emptiness of all phenomena within the five skandhas and the worldly realm, sever the clinging to self and phenomena, and ultimately attain Buddhahood. By observing the purity of the Tathāgatagarbha and its non-outflow conditioned nature, the seven consciousnesses can be influenced and gradually empty the mind, ceasing to crave and cling to illusory worldly phenomena. As the mind approaches the purity of the Tathāgatagarbha, the seven consciousnesses can attain liberation and accomplish the Buddha Way.