大乘起信論義記 2.268

2.268

In the third, regarding the manifesting consciousness, there is first the doctrine, next the simile, and finally the matching. "Able to manifest all sense-objects" means that relying on the seeing of the preceding evolving consciousness, it gives rise to this function of being able to manifest, and thus manifests delusive sense-objects. Because the essence of the mind combines with avidyā through the power of perfuming, it manifests various boundless sense-objects. In the matching, the "five dusts" are mentioned merely to cite what is coarse and evident to match "visible forms", but in reality it universally manifests all sense-objects; therefore in the doctrinal explanation above it says "all". If according to the Yogācārabhūmiśāstra, "then it manifests the seeds of the five sense faculties and the receptacle world", and so forth. In the present treatise, it refers specifically to the five dusts because it makes this statement in terms of the meaning of inducing the differentiating empirical consciousness. "Arises spontaneously" means that unlike the sixth and seventh consciousnesses, which at times are cut off and cease; this therefore distinguishes it from them. "Always in front" means being the root of all phenomena. It clarifies that this consciousness precedes all phenomena because it is the basis for all phenomena; this distinguishes it from the manas consciousness.