alaya-vijñana

alaya-vijñana Sanskrit term meaning literally ‘storehouse consciousness’, a category developed by Indian Buddhist metaphysicians to solve some specific philosophical problems, notably those of delayed karmic effect and causation at a temporal distance. The alaya-vijñana ‘stores,’ in unactualized but potential form, as ‘seeds,’ the results of an agent’s volitional actions. These karmic ‘seeds’ may come to fruition at a later time. Most Buddhists think of moments of consciousness (vijñana) as intentional (having an object, being of something); the alaya-vijñana is an exception, allowing for the continuance of consciousness when the agent is apparently not conscious of anything (such as during dreamless sleep), and so also for the continuance of potential for future action during those times. See also BHAVAN NGA , VAASANA A. P.J.G.

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