The Dalai Lama - The Function of Consciousness

STAGES OF MEDITATION
by the Dalai Lama, root text by Kamalashila,
translated by Geshe Lobsang Jordhen,
Losang Choephel Ganchenpa,
and Jeremy Russell
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Dalai Lama Quote of the Week

Knowing or understanding is the function of consciousness.... That which possesses the function of knowing is consciousness.

Consciousnesses vary in the scope of their knowledge and in their intensity or sharpness. An obvious example is the consciousness of a human being, compared to an animal's consciousness. The human being's perception is much broader and it understands a much greater variety of objects. The consciousnesses of human beings vary with education and experience--the more educated you are and the more experience you have, the broader your consciousness.

Knowledge and understanding develop on the basis of a consciousness that has the ability to perceive its objects. When the necessary conditions are met, the mind's ability to perceive increases, the scope of its objects of knowledge expands, and understanding deepens. In this way the mind can develop its full potential. Omniscience is the full consummation, or perfection, of the mind's ability to perceive objects.

--from Stages of Meditation by the Dalai Lama, root text by Kamalashila, translated by Geshe Lobsang Jordhen, Losang Choephel Ganchenpa, and Jeremy Russell, published by Snow Lion Publications

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Tags: Buddhism, consciousness, mind, Stages of Meditation, Dalai Lama, Snow Lion Publications, Function of Consciousness