宗鏡錄 49.7

49.7

答。有多過。故不緣。若變影緣。即第八犯緣假過。若親緣。即犯唯識義不成過。親取他心故。西明云。若變影緣。即有情界增過。以變起前七現行故。而有兩重第七等。又解。以心法要種而生。今異熟第八微劣。設緣得前七亦不能熏種。故不緣也。

Answer: There are many faults, so it does not condition [them]. If it conditioned them by manifesting a shadow [image], then the eighth [consciousness] would commit the fault of conditioning what is nominal. If it conditioned them directly, it would commit the fault of failing to establish the meaning of consciousness-only, because it would directly apprehend another's mind. Ximing says: 'If it conditioned them by manifesting a shadow [image], then the realm of sentient beings would have the fault of increasing, because by manifesting and giving rise to the active manifestations of the preceding seven, there would be a duplicate seventh, and so on.' Another explanation says: mental dharmas must be produced from seeds; now the vipāka eighth consciousness is subtle and inferior, so even if it were to condition the preceding seven, it could not perfume seeds; therefore it does not condition them.