The Three Natures of the Eight Consciousnesses

The Three Natures of the Eight Consciousnesses: the dependent nature (paratantra-svabhāva) of the six consciousnesses, the imaginary nature (parikalpita-svabhāva) of the seventh consciousness, and the perfected nature (pariniṣpanna-svabhāva) of the tathāgatagarbha. The first six consciousnesses are generated by the tathāgatagarbha relying on various conditions; without conditions, the six consciousnesses do not arise. The conditions differ, such as nine conditions, eight conditions, seven conditions, and so forth. Therefore, the six consciousnesses possess a dependent nature. They manifest dependent on conditions such as the tathāgatagarbha and the manas (mental faculty), karmic seeds, the six dusts (objects of sense), the six sense faculties, and so on. Consequently, the six consciousnesses are not autonomous, they are illusory, empty, and devoid of self.

The imaginary nature refers to the manas, the seventh consciousness, which universally discriminates, apprehends, and clings to all dharmas, regarding all dharmas as "self" and "belonging to self." It clings to the seeing aspect of the tathāgatagarbha as "my seeing," clings to the seeing of the six consciousnesses as "my seeing," and appropriates the merits of both the tathāgatagarbha and the six consciousnesses as its own, clinging to them greedily and refusing to let go. Because of this, one cannot break free from the cycle of birth and death. Therefore, only by transforming the imaginary nature of the manas can one ultimately attain liberation and autonomy. As long as a single thought of ignorance (avidyā) within the seventh consciousness remains unextinguished, the seventh consciousness itself will not cease. This single thought of ignorance has existed since beginningless kalpas (aeons) in the past. Hence, the existence of the seventh consciousness has no beginning; it is not of a dependent nature but possesses an imaginary nature due to ignorance's universal clinging to all dharmas. The very essence of the seventh consciousness, the manas, inherently possesses the imaginary nature. It clings to the self of persons, clings to the self of dharmas, clings to all phenomena. Therefore, due to this clinging nature, it cannot attain liberation from birth and death, cannot attain Nirvana, cannot attain great autonomy.

The perfected nature refers to the tathāgatagarbha. It can perfectly accomplish all dharmas, both mundane and supramundane. All dharmas are born from it and accomplished by it. With it, all dharmas exist; without it, no dharmas exist. The perfected nature of the tathāgatagarbha can perfectly accomplish all dharmas according to karmic seeds and conditions, regardless of whether they are wholesome or unwholesome dharmas. Therefore, it is said that apart from the tathāgatagarbha, all other dharmas are characterized by arising and ceasing.