A Study on ‘Consciousness’ with Special Reference to Vijñaptimātratāsiddhi and Lankavatārasūtra

Abstract

This paper tries to explore a comparative study on consciousness (vijñāna) between the two texts of Vijñaptimātratāsiddhi and Laṅkāvatārasūtra regarding the concept of ultimate truth. According to Yogacāra, consciousness (vijñāna) is the only reality, which designates the basic phenomenon of conscious experience, denying the relation between the concept of subject and object. According to Viṁsśatikā, the universe is the manifestation of consciousness (vijñāna), and it is equated with mind (mana), citta, and vijñapti, which is a momentary dharma. In Laṅkāvatārasūtra, it designates the mind only (cittamātra). Vasubandhu, in his commentary Vijñaptimātratāsiddhi Triṁśikā, admits that pure consciousness is the Reality. He denies the existence of external thought. Both texts consider that pure consciousness is the highest reality.