Eight consciousnesses

Eight consciousnesses (Skt. ashtavijñana; 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 (Wyl. nyon yid) and the all-ground consciousness (Skt. alaya vijñana; 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.