大乘起信論裂網疏 3.64

3.64

The first six consciousnesses are collectively named the consciousness that perceives sense-objects. Here, mentioning the sixth subsumes the first five. In saying merely 'all ordinary persons', it is spoken tentatively in terms of the conditions of delusion and defilement. 'Relying on the continuous consciousness': because the seventh consciousness serves as the support for defilement and purity; the seventh constantly revolves together with the eighth without interruption from beginningless time, and therefore it is named the continuous consciousness. 'Clinging to self and what belongs to self': the seventh has only the innate grasp of self; relying on it, the sixth universally gives rise to both imputed and innate grasp of self and what belongs to self. 'Falsely grasping various sense-realms of the six dusts': the sixth either arises together with the first five, which is termed 'simultaneous mental consciousness'—then it grasps the present sense-realms of visible forms, sounds, scents, tastes, and tangibles, which are named the five dusts; or it arises purely on its own, which is termed 'solitary mental consciousness'—then it grasps all sense-realms of the past, present, and future; if in dreams, it grasps the realms manifested in dreams; if entering meditative concentration, it grasps all realms of the four dhyānas and the four formless attainments, all of which are named the dust of phenomena. 'Also named the consciousness of separation': the eye consciousness conditions only the forms transformed by itself, up to the body consciousness which conditions only the tangibles transformed by itself; although mental consciousness can universally condition [all objects], it cannot know that the various dusts have no nature of their own and are merely one's own mind, and therefore it is named the consciousness of separation. 'Also named the consciousness that distinguishes phenomena': the false realms of the six dusts are called 'phenomena'; not knowing the principle of their lack of self-nature, it is therefore named the consciousness that distinguishes phenomena. 'Because it grows through being perfumed by views, craving, and the like': craving refers to the various blunt defilements associated with the six consciousnesses; views refer to the various sharp defilements associated with the sixth consciousness. Active manifestations perfume and form seeds, and the seeds again give rise to active manifestations; thus it grows. The first part, explaining the conditions of delusion and defilement, is concluded.