大乘起信論內義略探記 1.40

1.40

第四問答者，問：何故不說五識？答：此論約一意義說，但意說獨分別六塵，故論云「種種妄執隨事攀緣，分別六塵名為意識。」亦名分離識者，依於六根，別取六塵。又事識者，能分別去來、內外種種事故。

Fourth, questions and answers: Question: Why are the five consciousnesses not mentioned? Answer: This śāstra speaks according to one mental consciousness; it is only the mind that is said to exclusively discriminate the six sense-objects. Therefore the śāstra says: "Engaging in various false clingings according to phenomena, discriminating the six sense-objects, is named 'mental consciousness.'" It is also named 'isolating consciousness' because, relying upon the six sense-faculties, it separately apprehends the six sense-objects. Furthermore, as the consciousness of phenomena, it can discriminate various phenomena of past and future, internal and external.