Can the Elimination Method Illuminate the Mind?

What is the method of elimination? For example, one establishes a target in their mind and eliminates objects different from the target within their chosen scope. Whatever remains is then established as the target in their mind. Regardless of whether the chosen scope is comprehensive or not, as long as they self-confirm, they consider themselves correct. The method of illuminating the mind and realizing the fruit is extremely simple.

Even a dog, once trained, can use the method of elimination to find the object designated by its owner. Other animals can learn it too with training, because this doesn't require much brainpower, isn't laborious, doesn't need good roots or blessings, doesn't require meditation, doesn't require upholding precepts, and doesn't require diligent practice of the Thirty-Seven Aids to Enlightenment. Even a complete novice can illuminate the mind and realize the fruit with some human prompting. For instance, the owner spreads out three cards—A, B, and C—in front of the dog and asks it to point out which one is C. The dog first points to A. The owner shakes their head and says it's wrong. Then the dog points to B. The owner shakes their head again and says it's not. Finally, only one card is left. Without thinking, it's clear the remaining one is C. The dog naturally points to C, and the owner says it's correct this time. The dog then becomes happy, feeling very capable, and even gets a bone as a reward from the owner.

Finding the eighth consciousness using the method of elimination is similar. There are only eight consciousnesses in total. The six consciousnesses that perceive the six dusts definitely are not the eighth consciousness, eliminating six at once. That leaves only the manas (seventh consciousness) and the eighth consciousness. Ordinary people truly cannot observe the manas and do not know what it is. Even if told it is the one that constantly asserts mastery everywhere, they still cannot find it. Finding the manas is extremely difficult; observing its discerning nature is even more out of the question. So, they eliminate the manas and stop looking for it, focusing solely on finding the eighth consciousness.

What is the eighth consciousness like? Many know the eighth consciousness does not perceive the six dusts. So they search and search, finally finding something that seems not to perceive the six dusts. They imagine this thing seems to have a discerning nature, but what it discerns doesn't seem to be the six dusts. As for what exactly it discerns, it's truly impossible to observe because only those who have attained the subsequent wisdom (biexiangzhi) and the wisdom of the path (daozhongzhi) after enlightenment can observe the discerning nature of the eighth consciousness and know what it actually discerns. Ordinary people fundamentally cannot observe the discerning nature of the eighth consciousness unless they speculate based on theory. Finally, they think the eighth consciousness seems to perceive the physical body and the material world, because the sutras and treatises all say so. Then they decide it must be that, no mistake. So they hastily and happily go to confirm it, feeling as if they have no doubts, and claim to have severed the three fetters.

If such intelligence isn't innate, then their brain must have had water in it at some point. They are inferior even to children with slightly more developed brains. How could they be bodhisattvas who sincerely seek to cultivate and realize the bodhisattva path? They are utterly naive. If they encountered the patriarchs of old, with the patriarchs' straightforward nature, they wouldn't say a word to them—they would directly smash their skulls open with a big stick. How dare they harm the lineage? Kindergarten-level intelligence is beyond education. If I weren't considering the rise and fall of the lineage, I wouldn't even deign to glance at such people. But the illumination of the mind within the lineage is the most crucial point in Buddhist practice, the life-and-death gate for sentient beings, the place of refuge and liberation for countless sentient beings in this life and future lives. If someone destroys this gate, sentient beings will never again be able to leap over the Dragon Gate like a carp.

Even a mere intellectual adherent is far more respectable than this method of elimination. The method of elimination doesn't require much understanding or intelligence. It's like picking beans—just remove the bad beans, and the remaining ones are all good. How simple. Why bother cultivating the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Four Right Efforts, the Four Bases of Psychic Power, the Five Roots and Five Powers? No need to receive or uphold precepts, no need to cultivate meditation, no need for any concentration at all. Sorting beans doesn't require such trouble. The conditions spoken of by the Buddha are all superfluous; those of the highest capacity need not adhere to the Buddha's words.

The young monk Shenhui under the Sixth Patriarch, at thirteen years old, was clever, sharp-witted, and possessed deep good roots. His desire for the Dharma was intense. He traveled over mountains and ridges for thousands of miles to seek the Way from the Sixth Patriarch. The Sixth Patriarch only acknowledged him as a mere intellectual adherent. At that time, the Chan tradition was so flourishing, with so many enlightened patriarchs and virtuous teachers. Yet, Monk Shenhui lived to ninety-six years old and remained merely an intellectual adherent. He wrote many essays and spent his life debating and contending with the gradual cultivation school of Monk Shenxiu of the Northern lineage. Who among people today possesses Shenhui's spirit for seeking the Dharma and his good roots and blessings? Yet they dream of using the method of elimination to find the eighth consciousness and surpass Shenhui. The eighth consciousness will not let you find it this way. Using speculative methods might allow you to speculate it out, but that's like drawing a cake to satisfy hunger—it ultimately doesn't fill the stomach. In short, everyone should recognize one fact: the Dharma-Ending Age is, after all, the Dharma-Ending Age. Do not indulge in delusions. Be truthful and do good; delusions lead to evil.