The Black Box World (7)

The external world of the six dusts (objects of the senses) appears real, as if tangible matter truly exists, yet that reality is only relative to the internal manifestation. The external material world is also a collective projection by the eighth consciousness of sentient beings sharing similar karma; it is jointly manifested through the seeds of the four elements (earth, water, fire, wind). Its existence is but an illusory, fabricated existence—ultimately unreal, merely an illusion of the eighth consciousness. Moreover, it is an illusion collectively projected by the eighth consciousnesses of all sentient beings bound by shared karma; the eighth consciousness of a single sentient being alone cannot manifest it.

The external world of the six dusts, the material world outside, appears somewhat more substantial compared to the internal manifestation within the "black box" at the back of our heads, as it seems to be a solid world composed of the four elements. However, only the eighth consciousness can interact with this substantial manifestation composed of the four elements; neither the sixth nor the seventh consciousness can contact or perceive it. For the seventh consciousness (the thinking mind), the external world seems non-existent, and what we perceive is merely an image, a shadow.

Since beginningless time, we have mistaken the internal manifestation for the external manifestation, taking it as the real material world. Because we are unaware that the internal and external manifestations are extremely similar—virtually identical—our body consciousness, eye consciousness, and the other six consciousnesses, while discerning these shadows, mistake them for reality. Thus, we ceaselessly discriminate and cling to these shadows. Daily, we feel: "I truly ate food," thus craving food; "I truly sat on a bed," thus clinging to a comfortable bed; "I truly drank water," thus craving delicious drinks; "I truly felt the softness and lightness of clothing," thus clinging to attire; "I truly saw, obtained, and possessed jewels," thus craving gold, silver, and jewels. Yet all are merely shadows; we fail to realize they are but internal manifestations—illusions.