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[[Image:Monkey.JPG|frame|A monkey swinging in a tree, the image for consciousness in the [[Wheel of Life]]]] | |||
The '''eight consciousnesses''', or more literally, '''eight collections of consciousness''' (Skt. ''aṣṭavijñānakāya''; [[Wyl.]] ''rnam shes tshogs brgyad'') are mentioned in the writings of the [[Mind Only]] school. | The '''eight consciousnesses''', or more literally, '''eight collections of consciousness''' (Skt. ''aṣṭavijñānakāya''; [[Wyl.]] ''rnam shes tshogs brgyad'') are mentioned in the writings of the [[Mind Only]] school. | ||
Revision as of 10:01, 2 March 2011
The eight consciousnesses, or more literally, eight collections of consciousness (Skt. aṣṭavijñānakāya; Wyl. rnam shes tshogs brgyad) are mentioned in the writings of the Mind Only school.
To the six consciousnesses mentioned in the Abhidharma texts of the basic vehicle are added
- the defiled mental consciousness or emotional consciousness (Skt. kliṣṭamanas; Wyl. nyon yid) and
- the all-ground consciousness (Skt. ālaya vijñāna; Tib. kunshyi namshé; Wyl. kun gzhi rnam shes).
Transformation into Five Wisdoms
According to Mipham Rinpoche, the eight consciousnesses transform into the five wisdoms in the following way:
- Alaya transforms into the wisdom of dharmadhatu.
- Alaya consciousness transforms into mirror-like wisdom.
- Emotional consciousness transforms into wisdom of equality.
- Mental consciousness transforms into the wisdom of discernment.
- Five sense consciousnesses transform into the all-accomplishing wisdom.
Oral Teachings Given to the Rigpa Sangha
Edited Teachings
- Sogyal Rinpoche, 'The Eight Consciousnesses', Rigpalink December 2003, 6 November 2003, Zurich (available in English, French and German, ordernumber 361)
Further Reading
- A Treasury of Dharma, aka The Mengak Study Pack (Lodève: The Tertön Sogyal Trust, 2005), pages 90-92 & CD2, tracks 4-6.