成唯識論述記 7.554

7.554

The Commentary states: The essences of the various objects such as dependently originated form are not conceptually imagined forms; they resemble conceptually imagined forms. Although conceptually imagined form does not exist, resembling that conceptualization, it is not external yet resembles the external, just as the various dharmas conditioned in a dream cannot be grasped as real, nor grasped as form external to mind. If the Hīnayāna and others object, does it not say that mental consciousness does not directly grasp it as external form, but only says the five consciousnesses discriminate and directly realize that external objects exist? Now this is answered with reasoning. The previous explanation held that the five consciousnesses do not grasp it as external while the mind grasps it as external; now it is said that what the five consciousnesses condition resembles the external while its essence is not external. This merely reveals the correct doctrine, not refuting others.