Consciousness-Only Series (Cheng Weishi Lun)

 

'"Why is it that apart from the consciousness, no real dharmas can be found?' This is because the real dharmas grasped by non-Buddhists and other vehicles [of Buddhism] do not exist from the standpoint of reason.'" Cheng Weishi Lun, Vol. 1

 

「『如何識外實有諸法不可得耶？』外道餘乘所執外法，理非有故。」 

成唯識論, 卷一 

Remarks: (Excerpts from Commentary on the Cheng Weishi Lun)

 Translation: "Question: ‘Why is it that apart from the inner consciousness, no real dharmas can be found?’ Answer: This is because the real dharmas, other than the inner consciousness, grasped by non-Buddhists and ordinary monks of Two-Vehicle sectarian Buddhism do not exist from the standpoint of the correct principle."

 All the dharmas rely on “the consciousness,” the tathāgatagarbha, to arise directly, indirectly, or interchangeably. All generated minds or dharmas cannot give rise to dharma because they lack the meritorious quality to give rise to dharma. That is, other than the eighth consciousness, no dharmas can be found that can give rise to various dharmas.

 The above quote already indicates that the dharmas of the five concealments and others are brought forth by the eighth consciousness and abide in the state of the six sense objects that originate from the eighth consciousness. However, sentient beings often mistakenly believe that they are experiencing the six external sense objects due to ignorance.

 In fact, both the second consciousness capable of transforming (the mental faculty) and the third consciousness capable of transforming (the six consciousnesses) are brought forth from the tathāgatagarbha and merely serve to assist the eighth consciousness in transforming and producing various other dharmas. Hence, they are expediently referred to as the second and third consciousnesses capable of transforming. When it comes to the actual transformation and generation of various dharmas, all of them are still transformed and produced by the eighth consciousness; the seven evolving consciousnesses (the second and third consciousnesses capable of transforming) cannot transform and generate various other dharmas.

 What is important is that only a mind capable of producing can generate all dharmas; all generated minds cannot give rise to any dharma. This is the law of the dharma realm that can be equally and directly observed by all Buddhas and bodhisattvas who have realized the reality-suchness mind, “the consciousness,” tathāgatagarbha, and who can expound this knowledge of the real dharma to others. A correct law of principle that is not understood by all non-Buddhists and Two Vehicle sectarian Buddhists.

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