Consciousness-only theory is one of the important terms of the Yogacara School of Mahayana Buddhism. It means that all phenomena in the world are manifested by the mind, and there is no independent objective existence outside the mind. It is also called "consciousness alone without realm".

This view believes that the "consciousness" of sentient beings can be divided into eight types:

The first five consciousnesses refer to the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, etc. that can distinguish external objects. Consciousness;

The sixth consciousness refers to the consciousness that has apperception functions such as imagination and thinking;

The seventh consciousness refers to the manas consciousness as the potential self-awareness;

The eighth consciousness is the Alaya consciousness which is the root and core of the first seven consciousnesses.

Alaya consciousness contains spiritual factors named seeds that can produce various phenomena in the world, so it is also called "hidden consciousness" or "seed consciousness". From the aspect that alaya consciousness can maintain seeds and physical and mental organs, it is also called "persistence consciousness". "Consciousness alone has no boundaries" is the cornerstone of the religious theory and religious practice of the Yogacara School of Mahayana Buddhism in India, and is also the basic viewpoint of the Earth Theory School, the Photography School and the Dharma Sect of Chinese Buddhism.

Extended information:

Is consciousness only a Sanskrit word? (Vijñāptimātratāsiddhi), transliterated as Viradhimātratāsiddhi, Sanskrit inverted, called consciousness only, Chinese Translated as consciousness only.

Consciousness-only sect states that all phenomena outside my human consciousness are manifested by my human consciousness itself, that is, they are manifested by the seeds in the eighth Alaya consciousness. It arises, so except for the mind, all phenomena are unreal. Therefore, it is said: ‘Consciousness alone has no realm’; or from the aspect that all phenomena are changed by self-consciousness, it is called ‘consciousness-only change’.

Consciousness-only theory: Consciousness-only epistemology is based on the division of consciousness into "jianfen" (the subject of cognition, that is, the ability or function of cognition) and "phase separation" (the object of cognition, that is, reflection) subjectively recognized form), and then recognize the aspect by the view.

The experience at this time can create new impressions on the Alaya consciousness and form new seeds. All things in the world are just the manifestation of the seeds of various dharma sayings of their own nature hidden in the Alaya consciousness. Therefore, it is said that the state depends on the consciousness, and only the consciousness has no state.

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