Consciousness.

Introduction.

Vijñāna (Sanskrit) is translated as 'consciousness', 'life force', 'mind', or 'discernment'.

Mahayana Buddhism breaks the mind into eight separate consciousnesses.

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche said the point of meditation is actually to understand how the eight conciousnesses work, because together they create our samsaric reality.

They are also the working basis of enlightenment.

-- Sources: Wikipedia, Lion's Roar article.


Eight Vijñānas.

1 through 6: The Sense Consciousnesses.

The first 5 are familiar: the eye, ear, nose, tongue, and body consciousnesses.

They work with our sense organs and objects of perception to create our experience of the phenomenal world.

The 6th sense consciousness, called mind, assembles the input from the other sense consciousnesses into a coherent whole.

The six sense bases refer to the five physical sense organs, the mind and their associated objects (visual forms, sounds, odors, flavors, touch and mental objects). Based on the six sense bases, a number of mental factors arise including six 'types' or 'classes' of consciousness. More specifically, according to this analysis, the six types of consciousness are eye-consciousness (that is, consciousness based on the eye), ear-consciousness, nose-consciousness, tongue-consciousness, body-consciousness and mind-consciousness.

Hence, in this context, consciousness includes the following characteristics:
- Arises as a result of the material sense bases,
- There are six types of consciousness, each unique to one of the internal sense organs,
- Consciousness arises from Mind,
- Here, consciousness cognizes or is aware of its specific sense base (including the Mind and Mind Objects),
- Consciousness is a prerequisite for the arising of craving,
- Hence, for the vanquishing of suffering, one should neither identify with nor attach to consciousness.

7: The Klesha or Deluded Consciousness.

The 7th consciousness is the home of our concepts, opinions, and inner discursiveness. Sometimes called the 'nuisance consciousness', it is a source of suffering and a place where we spend far too much of our mental time.

-- Source: Lion's Roar article.

8: Base Consciousness (Skt. Alaya Vijnana) or Store Consciousness.

A function of mind that stores all impressions and lets them mature again with the appearance of corresponding conditions, and manifest in the outer world; it colors one's experience, and through karma is the basis for the next rebirth.

-- Source: 'Fearless Death' by Lama Ole Nydahl.

See also, if You wish or need : Akashic Records - Store Consciousness.


Amalavijñāna.

The amalavijñāna, 'immaculate consciousness', is considered by some schools as a ninth level of consciousness.

This 'pure consciousness is identified with the nature of reality (parinispanna) or Suchness'.

Alternatively, amalavijñāna may be considered the pure aspect of ālāyavijñāna.

Some buddhists also suggest hrdaya (Heart) consciousnesses, or an eleven consciousnesses theory or an infinity consciousness.

-- Source: Wikipedia.


Wishes.

i wish all beings - including myself - to be understand connections & differencies between First Four Skandhas & Consciousnessess - without forcing or rushing to do so, at everyone's own pacing & with everyone's will.

i wish all beings - including myself - to get rid of Mind's Velis, including of 'ego' - so they are able to see things as they truly are - without forcing or rushing to do so, at everyone's own pacing & with everyone's will.


Mantras.

OM MAHAKALAYE SOHA

OM VAIROCHANA OM
OM AKSHOBHYA HUM
OM RATNASAMBHAVA TRAM
OM AMITABHA HRIH
OM AMOGHASIDDHI AH

OM MANI PEME HUNG

KARMAPA CHENNO

Namaste, blessed be.