Today we continue to study the “Verses on the Eight Consciousnesses” composed by Master Xuanzang (late 7th century), which consists of four verses:
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The first verse is about the five sense consciousnesses (the first five consciousnesses).
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The second verse is about the sixth consciousness.
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The third verse is about the seventh consciousness.
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The fourth verse is about the eighth consciousness (the Store Consciousness, or Ālaya-vijñāna).
The translation is rendered in verse form to make it easier to memorize.
The first verse begins with the five sense consciousnesses, called the first five consciousnesses, which perceive directly (pratyakṣa – direct perception) without passing through reasoning. Each consciousness operates independently with three characteristics: wholesome, unwholesome, and indeterminate. Right from the first line, the “object – perception – nature” of these five consciousnesses is clearly expressed.
On the path of practice, when one attains the second ground (the stage of freedom from defilement – vimala bhūmi), only the eye, ear, and body consciousnesses remain active; the nose and tongue consciousnesses become inactive, making the body and mind pure and light, free from material afflictions.
