宗鏡錄 57.3

57.3

答。真謂本覺。現謂第八。餘七俱名分別事識。雖第七識不緣外塵。緣第八故。名分別事。真謂本覺者。即八識之性。經中有明九識。於八識外。立九識名。即是真識。若約性收。亦不離八識。以性遍一切處故。

Answer: 'True' refers to original enlightenment; 'manifesting' refers to the eighth [consciousness]; the remaining seven are all named 'consciousness that discriminates objects'. Although the seventh consciousness does not perceive external dust [objects], because it perceives the eighth, it is named 'discriminating objects'. 'True refers to original enlightenment' means the nature of the eight consciousnesses. In sūtras, where nine consciousnesses are explained, positing the name of a ninth consciousness apart from the eight consciousnesses, that is precisely the true consciousness. If subsumed according to nature, it is also not separate from the eight consciousnesses, because nature is omnipresent.