Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Eight Consciousnesses Turn Defilement into Purity (八識轉染成淨 )
Date: September. 06, 2013
Are we always mindful? We examine our spiritual state to see if it is “tranquil and clear, with vows as vast as the universe. We remain unshaken for countless eons. Infinite Dharma-doors readily appear before us.” If our minds are in this state of tranquility and clarity, our vows will not waver. If we can guard our minds in this way, naturally “infinite Dharma-doors” will “readily appear before us.” This is a definite principle. “Vows as vast the universe” reflect such broad and open hearts. If we can take every [teaching] into our hearts, when we come in contact with external conditions we can transform consciousness into wisdom. If we can transform consciousness into wisdom, naturally, “infinite Dharma-doors readily appear before us.” No matter what external conditions we encounter, they can all develop our wisdom. We can discover wisdom in any circumstance. Therefore, we must be very mindful. A tranquil and clear mindset must be carefully guarded. Earlier I said that the names of the Eight Princes all included the word “intention”. The sixth prince, Resolving-Doubts-Intention, means we are naturally very clear about the external conditions we encounter. “Mind-consciousness understands phenomena”. The mind-consciousness can indentify an object and the parts that make it up. We are aware it goes through the states of arising, abiding, changing and ceasing. Or it forms, exists, decays and disappears. Actually, because material objects around us continuously form and abide, thoughts will stir in our minds. We never think that eventually all things will decay and become a pile of garbage. If we understand this, we will not crave what we do not need. This is how the “mind-consciousness understands phenomena”.
Furthermore, do we really need it? Once we resolve our doubts, we will not need to think about whether we want something. We do not need to keep questioning. We must quickly resolve these questions “resolve doubts to achieve understanding.” Then we can be open and clear-minded. We can also resolve questions about principles or matters. When we can clearly discern right from wrong, naturally we have to questions about principles. A principle without doubt is called a true principle. Thus, we can understand delusions of samsara. Delusions are a form of ignorance. When the Six Consciousnesses turn into wisdom, our minds are purified.
The sixth was named Resolving-Doubtsp-Intention. Mind-consciousness understands phenomena, resolves doubts to achieve understanding, resolves questions over matters and principles to understand the delusions of cyclic existence. The seventh was named Resonating-Intention. The seventh consciousness responds to the “self”, ignorance and the four states by constantly examining and then connecting to the eighth consciousness. The self-reflection is like an echo following a sound.
The seventh was named Resonation-Intention, which refers to how people respond to the external world with the seventh consciousness.External conditions connect with our consciousness and we begin thinking.The seventh consciousness thinks very nimbly and quickly; it clearly knows right from wrong.So, it continuously makes an effort to contemplate.Therefore, it has no doubts when it encounters external phenomena; it is very pure.
Our “doubts”,our ignorance of “self” and the four states are already analyzed very clearly.This is because it has already been “constantly examining”.“Examining” means to very carefully understand something.Therefore, thinking is very important because the seventh consciousness can use a pure mind to face challenges in this world.So, its thinking is exceptionally clear and sharp.It connects with external conditions, and then returns [them] to the eighth consciousness.Therefore, it is “constantly examining and then connecting to the eighth consciousness”.
When this enters the eighth consciousness what is stored is wisdom form this world.
A very clear understanding and analysis is then given to the eighth consciousness.
In this way we can clearly know whether we should do this or if this is proper.
This is concealed in the eighth consciousness, “like an echo following a sound”.
The sound and its echo are interrelated.
Right now we have amplifiers, so when we hold the microphone closely and make a sound, that sound will “ring” out.The sound can be amplified to be far-reaching.
So even when a sound is made close to us, even faraway places can echo with this sound.When we connect with good things, they enter our eighth consciousness, which is also called the Storechouse Consciousness.
We can fill our memory with good things and keep thinking about how to benefit people.
When we see conditions, our mind-consciousness can manifest wise actions.Our intention must be utilized in this way.
The eighth was named “Dharma-Intention”.“The eighth consciousness stores all phenomena, flawed and flawless, good and evil, proper and deviant.”Some of what it stores is flawed.
We all know that flaws, or Leaks, are afflictions.Afflictions, after being created; are then stored in the eighth consciousness.Once an ignorant thought stirs, greed, anger, delusion, arrogance and doubt arise.Every day we encounter people, matters and objects in our external conditions.This is how we ordinary people, in daily living, connect to the outside world with our Six Consciousness and take in external appearances.Then whatever the seventh consciousness thinks and generates is concealed in the eighth consciousness.It has already turned into a seed, which is hidden in the eighth consciousness.So, we store these flawed afflictions.When we keep it in our hearts, it is stored.
One day, when we recall this matter or encounter a certain condition, it will emerge, and we may take revenge and produce more afflictions.This is having Leaks.What if we are without Leaks?We will then naturally always have a wise and pure nature so we will not engage in delusional actions.We transmigrate through the Six Destinies because of delusional actions.
Now that we have encountered Buddha-Dharma, the Dharma- water cleanses us and washes away our ignorance and afflictions. We return to precepts, Samadhi, wisdom, liberation, and liberated views and knowledge. This state is flawless, without Leaks. So the eighth consciousness stores good and evil. Everything is eventually aggregated in the eighth consciousness. Returning to a flawless state is good. [Remaining] in a flawed state is evil.
So all phenomena, proper or deviant, are concealed and stored in the eight consciousness. When we reach a state of “Dharma- Intention”, we have returned to our intrinsic, pure nature. Everything in that warehouse, that consciousness, is the Dharma. External conditions first enter through the eye-consciousness; eye-, ear-, nose-, tongue-, body-, and mind-consciousnesses continue on. Those consciousnesses can turn into wisdom, then everything in our external conditions can create blessings for sentient beings and bring them to the great Bodhisattva-path. This broad path leads straight to the state of Buddhahood.
So, “the mind-king transcends delusions, realizes truths, renounces the desires of the Three Realms, rejoices in the non- contriving path of the One Vehicle. When they also became monastics, the defilements of their Eight Consciousnesses were purified”.
What it the mind-king? It is our Eight Consciousnesses. So, the mind-king has forever escaped from delusion. So, the mind-king transcends delusions “Realizes truths” means it has already attained and realized True Dharma. Therefore, we can renounce the desires of the Three Realms, which are the desire, form and formless realms. Some people give very esoteric explanations of these realms that our minds cannot comprehend. But according to worldly teachings, there are these three realms.
In the desire realm we pursue desires all day. In the form realm, though we see form and feel pleasure, we will not use immoral means to pursue things. However, there is still the enjoyment of a world of colors and forms. Then the next step is to eliminate this realm of forms and colors. That is a state of formlessness, colorlessness. And even that is not enough. Our minds must not be attached to those states and must return to our radiant Buddha-nature. In this state, our minds are naturally free of hindrances. This is what we are practicing to achieve.
Therefore, we must renounce the desires of the Three Realms and happily seek what we need, “rejoicing in the non-contriving path of the One Vehicle”. One Vehicle refers to the Mahayana (Great Vehicle), which is the Bodhisattva Vehicle. Transforming oneself and others, enlightening self, others and having perfect enlightened conduct, is the path of the One Vehicle. “Non-contriving” refers to a mind that when facing external conditions does not create a sense of possession, a sense of what is “mine”. Not at all. We have returned to a natural state. Non-contriving means we are free of desires. This is a great path to enlightenment.
So, the previous passage states that the eight princes saw their father become a monastic and attain supreme, universal and perfect enlightenment. Therefore, these eight children also became monastics. This reflects how our pure, radiant Buddha-nature is so clear and free that all afflictions the Eight Consciousnesses connect with in external conditions are fully eliminated.So of course, we naturally return to our intrinsic, pure and radiant Buddha-nature.
So, “defilements of their Eight Consciousnesses were purified.” This show that the defilements of the Eight Consciousnesses have been washed away. When we successfully transform consciousness into wisdom, we return to our intrinsic nature.
“The eight princes manifested a sense of majesty and freedom. Each ruled over the four quarters of the world.”
This is in the text. They followed their father and became monastics. These eight princes strictly followed the rules and studied hard with the Sangha. Their minds were purified, and they clearly discerned all external conditions. Thus, they naturally manifested a sense of majesty and freedom. A virtuous demeanor is a manifestation of our inner spiritual practice.
So, internal cultivation shows in external practice. When our minds are well-cultivated, our appearance and demeanor will be dignified. When we work on ourselves, we will have a virtuous appearance. This is a definite principle.With that, we naturally can lead the whole world. Thus, these eight princes could all go out and transform sentient beings.
The right princes manifested a sense of majesty and freedom. Each ruled over the four quarters of world. They are Eight Consciousnesses. Each leads the corresponding mental function and the external conditions it connects with mind’s functions and objects of perception.
The “mind-kings of the Eight Consciousnesses each leads the corresponding mental function.” The corresponding mental function [connects] to external forms from the eighth, seventh ad sixth consciousnesses and so on. I often talk to everyone about our thinking. Thinking deals with the forms that we connect with in external conditions. They are on our minds because the mind-consciousness allows these external forms to enter.
Ordinary people are affected and confused by these forms. Then their thinking stirs up many cravings and ignorant thoughts. If we can transform consciousness into wisdom and store that wisdom in the eight consciousness. Then we can “lead the corresponding mental function.”
Our mental functions respond to and connect with external conditions, including many good and evil things. So, now we can guide them, whether they are good or evil, because the eighth consciousness stores flawless, good and evil things. They are all stored in the eight consciousness. The mind-kings the Eight Consciousnesses. The mind-kings of the Eight Consciousnesses can lead everything, the good and evil the flawed and flawless, and bring them onto the enlightened Bodhi-path.
Fellow Bodhisattvas, now we further understand our mind-consciousness and the external conditions we come un contact with. When it comes to what we see and understand, what do we want to transform it into? We ate between the unenlightened and the saints. If we want to become saints or learn to be like the Buddha, we must be very mindful. We cannot be led by our delusions. Thereforem we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV - Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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