The translation of the Sanskrit “alaya” is the basis of everything (all-foundation).

1) In general, the term denotes that which underlies everything. Often it is translated as "all-foundation". The Sanskrit term has the meaning of a line, a chain, as in the word mountain range "Himalaya". Often used in a general context, denoting the "fastening, foundation" or "basis underlying everything" of any given thing.

2) The general name for the mental continuum which is the basis of being as a whole.

3) In a special way, an abbreviation for kun gzhi'i rnam par shes pa "consciousness is all-ground". In this case, although the term has been translated as "the basis of everything", "all-base", etc., it actually means "underlying". Also note that this term is used in relation to the dualistic consciousness.

4) The higher tantras, especially the tantras of the Great Perfection, use the term in a sense similar to 3), but they use the sems kyi ngo bo mind essence, which is not dualistic consciousness.

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