The Meritorious Nature of the Eighth Consciousness

The consciousness that enters the womb does not enter the womb—"entering the womb" is a provisional name; the consciousness that dwells in the womb does not dwell in the womb—"dwelling in the womb" is a provisional name; the consciousness that emerges from the womb does not emerge from the womb—"emerging from the womb" is a provisional name; the consciousness that enters the body does not enter the body—"entering the body" is a provisional name; the consciousness that leaves the body does not leave the body—"leaving the body" is a provisional name; the consciousness of nirvāṇa does not attain nirvāṇa—"nirvāṇa" is a provisional name.

How hard it is for the eighth consciousness—serving as both father and mother, raising a few bratty little kids. So even His capacity has its limits: He lets you bratty kid go your way in good and evil, provides your food and drink, and lets you create karma as you please. Thus the seven sons wander through beginningless kalpas, committing evil without knowing to turn back. Yet the mother never abandons her child, cherishing him with tender awareness.