The True Meaning of Consciousness Conditioning Name-and-Form and Name-and-Form Conditioning Consciousness

Consciousness conditioning the five aggregates must depend on the eighth consciousness in order to arise, and only then can there be the various activities of the five-aggregate body. The eighth consciousness must depend on the five aggregates and the eighteen realms in order to manifest its various functions and roles; without the five aggregates and the eighteen realms, the eighth consciousness has nothing to operate upon, and its functions cannot be manifested. If the functions of the eighth consciousness cannot be seen, then the eighth consciousness cannot be found. Therefore the Buddha said that consciousness conditions name-and-form, and name-and-form condition consciousness.

The seven consciousnesses must also operate upon the five-aggregate material body in order to display their functions and roles; without a material body there would be no six consciousnesses, and the functions of the seventh consciousness could not be displayed either. Only when the material body is combined with the seven consciousnesses can the five aggregates appear, and only then can there be the activities of the five-aggregate body. The material body plus the seven consciousnesses is equivalent to the five-aggregate body.