The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c9.s3.23

c9.s3.23

The Vajrayāna conception of the Bodhi mind appears to be the same as advocated in Yogācāra, an idea of which can be gained by a reference to the Tattvasaṅgraha of Śāntarakṣita. The Bodhi mind is like a continuous stream of consciousness which changes every moment; the consciousness of the previous moment giving rise to or causing the consciousness of the succeeding moment. The chain of momentary consciousness which is without a beginning or an end, operating in unison with the all powerful act-force leads it either to degradation or to emancipation according as the actions done are good or bad. The Bodhi mind is by nature surcharged with impurities such as desire, memory, existence, non-existence, subject, object and the rest which are all unreal. To purify this chain of consciousness is the sole aim of the Bodhisattva, but so long as impurities are not removed, it will be subject to a series of transmigrations either in the world of gods or men, or of animals, birds, ghosts and demons.