宗鏡錄 70.20

70.20

問。所緣緣論偈云。內色如外現。為識所緣緣。許彼相在識。及能生識故。是以外境雖無。而有內色。似外境現。為所緣緣。既外相在識。即是俱起。以相在故。云何復能生識。能作識緣。

Question: The verse of the Ālambanaparīkṣā says: "Internal form appearing as external / serves as the cognitive condition for consciousness; / because its characteristic is admitted to exist in consciousness / and because it is able to generate consciousness." Thus, although external objects do not exist, there is internal form that appears resembling external objects, serving as the cognitive condition. Since the external characteristic exists in consciousness, they arise simultaneously; given that the characteristic exists [in consciousness], how can it further generate consciousness and act as a condition for consciousness?