8. The nine consciousnesses are:quoted from:
- visual consciousness
- auditory consciousness
- olfactory consciousness
- gustatory consciousness
- tactile consciousness
- mental consciousness
- ego-consciousness (manas)
- alaya-consciousness
and- amala-consciousness.
The theory of nine consciousnesses is attributed to the Shoron (She-lun) school, which flourished in China for about a hundred years from the latter half of the 6th century. In the present context, however, the 9th consciousness, which is usually considered undefiled, is treated from our viewpoint as being obscured by delusion.