Consciousness Only | Sanskrit: विज्ञानवाद | IAST: vijñānavāda | Framed Zen Art | 12 inch x 12 inch

Yogācāra theory, or "consciousness-only", occupies a very important position in Buddhist philosophy and is one of the core ideas of Buddhist philosophy. 

Its basic point of view is that all phenomena are created by consciousness, that is, the existence of all external things depends on the cognition of the mind. This theory mainly emphasizes the creativity of the mind and the subjectivity of actual phenomena, advocating that reality only exists in the mind.

This theory puts forward the theory of "eight consciousnesses" when explaining the relationship between mind and matter. These include the five senses (corresponding to the five senses), consciousness, mana consciousness (transitional consciousness or ego consciousness), and alaya consciousness (fundamental consciousness or storehouse consciousness). In particular, alaya consciousness is regarded as the foundation for storing all experiences and is the basis for individual cognition and behavior.

On the road to alleviating pain and pursuing inner peace, consciousness-only philosophy provides a way to know oneself and understand the world. By understanding how the mind shapes our experience and reality, practitioners can learn how to control their state of mind, thereby transcending suffering and achieving liberation.

In general, consciousness-only theory is of great significance in Buddhist philosophy. It not only deepens the understanding of the role of the mind, but also promotes Buddhism's emphasis on subjective experience, and has a profound impact on later generations in both theory and practice.

Read our meditation blog to understand more about Consciousness Only: Introduction to the Eight Consciousnesses of Yogācāra.