成唯識論述記 9.3

9.3

The Commentary states: Although there are seven verses resolving external objections, they are divided into two: the first two verses answer the objection that "if there is only consciousness, it then contradicts reason"; the subsequent five verses answer the objection that "if there is only consciousness, it then contradicts the sūtras." Within the latter there are two: the first three verses explain the objection that "if there are no objects, the three own-natures are not established"; the subsequent two verses explain the objection that "if there is consciousness, the three non-natures are not established." Within this first part there are four: first, the general question; second, the brief answer; third, the interrogation; fourth, the explanation. This is the first. The meaning of the present objection says: If external phenomena do not exist apart from internal consciousness, there would only be one nature, and three should not be spoken of; since the sūtras do speak of three, it is therefore not vijñapti-mātra.