「復次，大慧！有七種性自性，所謂：集性自性、性自性、相性自性、大種性自性、因性自性、緣性自性、成性自性。
Furthermore, Mahāmati: There are seven kinds of the nature of self-nature, which are —
the composite nature of self-nature,
the essential nature of self-nature,
the characteristic nature of self-nature,
the elemental nature of self-nature,
the causal nature of self-nature,
the conditional nature of self-nature, and
the resultant nature of self-nature.
This session tracks Lankavatāra 2.VI through the seven aspects of self-nature, linking them to meditative thresholds—from mind and wisdom to the Tathāgata’s world. We explore cessation, karmic projection, and how insight reconstructs perception.
2.VI English Furthermore, Mahamati! There are seven aspects of the Ultimate Principle, which are — the realm of mind,the realm of wisdom,the realm of knowledge,the realm of perception,the realm surpassing dualistic perception,the realm surpassing the ground of universal reverence, andthe realm of the tathagata’s self-arrival. Mahāmati! This is the nature of self-nature—what all Tathāgatas, worthy and…
A discussion on essential positions and framing in the Lankavatara scheme. Mind-only non-duality, perfuming, seeds, liberation and more.
This section of the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra outlines the two modes of arising, abiding, and cessation across all consciousnesses—by characteristic and by continuity. It introduces the eight consciousnesses, divides them into discriminating and conceptualizing functions, and reveals the perfumed nature of ālaya-vijñāna. The Buddha warns Mahāmati against nihilistic misinterpretations, clarifying how consciousness ceases only when its causes and conditions cease—not through metaphysical annihilation. This passage deconstructs false views of external creators and affirms causal interdependence as the true logic of mind-only realization.
In this opening session of a rigorous, practice-rooted translation series on the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, we explore the structure of arising, abiding, and cessation in Yogācāra terms. Key teachings include the the distinction between discriminating and conceptualizing mind, the nature of ālaya-vijñāna, and the two kinds of cessation: characteristic and continuity.
In this session we unpack the seven natures of self-nature and the seven aspects of ultimate principle. This session emphasizes fusing classical Yogācāra insight into meditative training—having a direct experience that reveals how selfing arises, how realization descends, and how non-duality is lived, not conceptualized.