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Perceptual conciousnesses

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
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The fifth through first consciousnesses are the perceptual consciousnesses.
 
They comprise the:

   visual,
   auditory,
   olfactory,
   gustatory,
   and tactile senses.

These senses arise from the perceived division of the eighth consciousness. Each organ of perception has two parts:

   1) its physical substance
   (eyes,
    ears,
    nose,
    tongue,
    or body)
and the nerves connecting it to the perceived division and

   2) its mental component.

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They can appear in any order or all at once, depending on the situation; for instance, an illness or shock can stop their operation. The five perceptual consciousnesses interact with the thirty-one dharmas interactive with the mind and work in conjunction with the sixth consciousness which processes their input to construct a mental picture of reality. After perceptions from the first five consciousnesses are assimilated in the sixth consciousness, they are introduced into the seventh consciousness, which puts these cognition's into the eighth as though the latter were a real "self". This continual process plants more karmic seeds in the eighth consciousness.

None of the five perceptual consciousnesses contain the potential for making moral distinctions, so they are of indeterminate nature . All five function on the first of the nine grounds, while eyes, ears, and body also occupy the second ground. None of them arise after the second ground - the first dyhana .

The five perceptual consciousness are:

   Fifth consciousness: This is consciousness of the body, or consciousness)]: This is consciousness of the body, or tactile

    feeling. It perceives through contact, i.e.; touch.

   Fourth consciousness: Tongue consciousness or tasting also perceives through contact. After the second ground this perception ceases to function.

   Third consciousness: Nose consciousness, or smelling, perceives through contact. After the second ground this perception also ceases.

   Second consciousness: Ear consciousness or hearing perceives at a distance.

   First consciousness: Eye consciousness or seeing perceives at a distance.

Source

online.sfsu.edu