金剛經纂要刊定記 7.159

7.159

"The lamp in terms of, etc.": using oil to symbolize craving and the lamp to symbolize consciousness: if there is no oil, the lamp's light does not arise; if there is no craving, conscious thoughts do not arise. Therefore the treatise says: "Abiding dependent on the dharma of craving." However, these three similes above are all the root of defilement that can perfume; hence they are generally named the mark of own-nature. The perfumed eighth consciousness, which holds seeds and induces the mind, is matched to the cloud simile as explained below. Alternatively, the star symbolizes the perceiving aspect, the hair-moon seen by the cataract eye symbolizes the perceived aspect, and the lamp symbolizes the self-authenticating aspect—the self-authenticating aspect being the eighth consciousness. The later cloud simile merely compares the seeds within consciousness as future dharmas.