○六祖大師識智頌解
Commentary on the Sixth Patriarch's Verses on Wisdom and Knowledge
大圓鏡智性清淨
The nature of the Great Mirror Wisdom is inherently pure.
教中說轉識成智。六祖所說識本是智。更不須轉。只是悟得八識自性清淨。當體便是大圓鏡智矣。
The scriptures speak of transforming consciousness into wisdom. However, the Sixth Patriarch said that consciousness is inherently wisdom, and there is no need for transformation. It is simply a matter of realizing that the inherent nature of the eight consciousnesses is pure and undefiled. In their very essence, they are none other than the Great Perfect Mirror Wisdom.
平等性智心無病
The mind of equal wisdom is free from illness.
此言七識染污無知。乃心之病也。若無染污之病。則平等性智念念現前。
This statement says that the seven consciousnesses are defiled and ignorant, which is the ailment of the mind. If this defilement were absent, then the wisdom of equality would manifest itself in every moment.
妙觀察智見非功
The wisdom of wondrous insight sees beyond all merit.
言六識本是妙觀察智。於應境之時。若以功自居。則執我見。此則為識。若不居功。則日用應緣。純一妙觀察智矣。
The six consciousnesses are originally the wondrous observing wisdom. When encountering circumstances, if one takes credit for their actions, clinging to the self, that becomes consciousness. But if one does not claim credit, then in daily interactions, that is purely the wondrous observing wisdom.
成所作智同圓鏡
The wisdom of accomplishing all actions, mirroring the perfect clarity of a round mirror.
言前五識轉成所作智。此亦不必轉。但悟八識清淨圓明。則於五根門頭放光動地。一切作為。皆鏡智之用矣。
It is said that the first five consciousnesses transform into the wisdom of perfect conduct. But this transformation is not strictly necessary. Once one awakens to the purity and perfect brightness of the eighth consciousness, then at the gateways of the five senses, light shines and the earth trembles—all actions become the function of mirror-like wisdom.
五八六七果因轉 但轉名言無實性
Five, six, seven—the fruit and cause transform, Yet only names turn, with no real substance.
此言轉識分位。雖說六七二識是因中轉。五八二識乃果上轉。其實轉無所轉。但轉其名。不轉其體。故云但轉名言無實性。
若於轉處不留情 繁興永處那伽定
If you do not cling to thoughts as they arise, Then even in the midst of bustling activity, you remain in the serene stillness of the Naga's meditation.
此結前轉而不轉之義也。所言轉識成智者。無別妙術。但於日用念念流轉處。若留情念繫著。即智成識。若念念轉處。心無繫著。不結情根。即識成智。則一切時中。常居那伽大定矣。豈是翻轉之轉耶。觀六祖此偈。發揮識智之妙。如傾甘露於焦渴喉中。如此深觀。有何相宗不是參禪向上一路耶。予昔居五臺。夢升兜率。親見彌勒為說唯識曰。分別是識。不分別是智。依識染。依智淨。染有生死。淨無諸佛。予因此悟唯識之旨。此雖夢語。不可向夢人說也。
This concludes the explanation of the preceding and following meanings of "turning without turning." The so-called "turning consciousness into wisdom" is not some special technique. It is simply this: in the midst of your daily thoughts as they arise and pass, if you cling to thoughts and become attached, then wisdom turns into consciousness. If, as each thought arises and passes, your mind remains unattached and does not form emotional ties, then consciousness turns into wisdom. In this way, at all times, you abide in the great samādhi of the Nāga. How could this be a matter of merely flipping something over?
Look at the Sixth Patriarch's verse—it reveals the wonder of consciousness and wisdom like pouring sweet dew into a parched throat. If you contemplate it this deeply, what Yogācāra school teaching is not the upward path of Chan practice?
Once, when I was residing at Mount Wutai, I dreamed that I ascended to Tuṣita Heaven and personally saw Maitreya explaining the Consciousness-Only doctrine to me. He said: "Discrimination is consciousness; non-discrimination is wisdom. Through consciousness, you become defiled; through wisdom, you become pure. Defilement brings birth and death; purity has no need even of Buddhas." Because of this, I awakened to the essential meaning of Consciousness-Only. Though these were words spoken in a dream, they cannot be explained to those who are still dreaming.
八識規矩通說(終)
Eight Consciousness Regulations Explained(End)