大乘起信論別記 1.97

1.97

Regarding "Because there is the condition of the objective realm, six characteristics arise," in the former subtle characteristics, the objective realm manifests relying on the perceiver, rather than the objective realm stirring the perceiver. These latter six characteristics are stirred by the objective realm manifested by the former, rather than these six kinds being able to manifest that realm. Such is their distinctive meaning. Speaking in general, the former also in turn relies on the realm manifested by itself, and the latter is also able to serve as the realm on which it itself relies. Now in this treatise, it is proper to approach it according to the distinctive gate; therefore, it says that because of the objective realm, six kinds of characteristics arise. As the original sūtra says: "Blown and stirred by the wind of the objective realm, / The waves of the seven consciousnesses roll." This refers precisely to this. Among the six characteristics, the first characteristic is the seventh consciousness; the next four characteristics are the four aggregates of the arising consciousness; the last characteristic is the aggregate of volitional formations, which is the fruit of retribution produced as a cause. As for the "characteristic of cognition," this seventh consciousness is the beginning among the coarse, initially associating with wisdom to discriminate 'I' and 'mine'; hence it is called the characteristic of cognition. As the Śrīmālādevīsūtra says: "Among these six consciousnesses and the mental dharma of cognition, none abides for a kṣaṇa." The phrase 'mental dharma of cognition' refers to the mental factor of wisdom. Therefore, one knows that the characteristic of cognition here resides precisely in the seventh consciousness.