The Mind Organ

The consciousness-only theory of Buddhism explains about six consciousnesses. The first five consciousnesses are sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. These five consciousnesses are recognized when the five physical organs (eye, ear, nose, tongue, and body [skin]) contact their respective objects (light [color], sound, scent, flavor, and tactile objects). The theory explains that the sixth consciousness is recognized when the mind organ contacts mind information (a seed of mind). Additionally, when the mind organ contacts mind information, a mental activity (or a mental phenomenon) arises. Mind information encompasses all knowledge obtained through learning and experience, all consciousnesses arising from the six organs, and all feelings and emotions arising from the sixth consciousness. In addition to the six consciousnesses, the theory explains a seventh consciousness (manas). The mind organ contacts and reads mind information ceaselessly. When we start to think with mind information A, we think about B from A, C from B, and D from C endlessly. Thus, the seventh consciousness is a continuation of the sixth consciousness and is called "thinking consciousness". Finally, the theory explains an eighth consciousness (alaya). The theory explains that all mind information is stored in the alaya.