宗鏡錄 53.32

53.32

Answer: Because the explanation, reason, and establishment are based on the five [faculties], such as the eye, and not on form and so forth. Why is that? The consciousness within the eye is called eye consciousness because consciousness can arise relying upon the base of the eye. Moreover, because the eye exists, consciousness can exist. Why is this? If the eye faculty exists, consciousness necessarily arises, since those who are not blind can see even in the dark; it is not that eye consciousness necessarily arises because form exists, since those who are blind cannot see. Moreover, the consciousness produced by the eye is called eye consciousness because when the eye undergoes modification, consciousness also undergoes modification; even though form does not change, consciousness changes—just as with jaundice (kāmalā), which impairs the eye faculty so that all forms such as blue are seen as yellow. Moreover, the consciousness belonging to the eye is called eye consciousness because the seeds (bīja) of consciousness arise following along with the eye. Moreover, the consciousness that assists the eye is called eye consciousness because it causes benefit or harm to it. Why is this? Because when the faculty unites with consciousness, there is feeling (vedanā) which causes benefit or harm to the faculty, not to the objective sphere. Moreover, the consciousness that is like the eye is called eye consciousness because both are subsumed under the sentient realm; form is not like this, because it is not determinate. Just as this is so for the eye consciousness, the other consciousnesses are also like this.