Objective Spheres for the Eight Consciousnesses

The sixth consciousness cannot perceive the direct perception realm (性境), as this belongs to the five sense objects realm (五尘境), which only the five sense consciousnesses can perceive. The objects perceived by the five sense consciousnesses are the fewest and simplest. The objects perceived by the mental consciousness (意识) are more numerous than those perceived by the five sense consciousnesses. The objects perceived by the mental faculty (意根) are more numerous than those perceived by the mental consciousness. The eighth consciousness (第八识) can perceive all dharmas (一切法), which are more numerous than those perceived by the mental faculty.

The eighth consciousness can manifest all dharmas, and thus can perceive all dharmas. If a dharma cannot be perceived by the eighth consciousness, it cannot receive the sustaining grasp of the eighth consciousness, and thus that dharma cannot exist. The eighth consciousness, based on the first-level dharmas (the essential realm, 本质境), manifests the second-level dharmas (the true substance-embracing realm, 真带质境), which the mental faculty can perceive. The true substance-embracing realm includes the five sense objects realm and the mental objects realm (法尘境). This belongs to the external six dust realms (外六尘境).

The eighth consciousness, based on the second-level dharmas perceived by the mental faculty, further manifests the third-level dharmas, including the direct perception realm and the false substance-embracing realm (假带质境). The first five sense consciousnesses perceive the five sense objects within the direct perception realm. The sense-accompanying mental consciousness (五俱意识) perceives the internal mental objects within the false substance-embracing realm. The mental faculty can perceive both of these dust realms, and thus it can act as the sovereign, governing the operation of the six consciousnesses. The eighth consciousness, based on the third-level false substance-embracing realm, further manifests the fourth-level solitary shadow realm (独影境), which the solitary mental consciousness (独头意识) can perceive, and the mental faculty can also perceive it.

Why does the eighth consciousness manifest the dharmas of each level in sequence? Because the mental faculty requires them, and both the mental faculty and the mental consciousness require the solitary shadow realm. If they were not needed, the eighth consciousness would not need to manifest the dharmas of that level, and the dharmas of subsequent levels would not appear at all.

The first-level dharmas are the most true. The second-level dharmas are the next most true. The third-level dharmas are the next true after that. The fourth-level dharmas are the most false. The third-level dharmas are the next most false. The second-level dharmas are the next false after that. However, even the first-level dharmas are illusory. Since all dharmas are born from and manifested by the eighth consciousness, they are all illusory.