Abstract

Amalavij na has often been interpreted as an attempt to forge links between Yogacara and Tath gatagarbha thought that is to synthesize the two major strands of Chinese Mahayana Buddhist doctrine Mahayana and Vij nav da In this article amalavij na is used to build a nine-consciousness model that relates to an understanding of consciousness itself from the Vij nav da perspective The nine-consciousness model comprises the first five consciousnesses seeing hearing smell taste and bodily sensation the conscious mind the manas the layavij na and the amalavij na Herein it will be explained how the nine-consciousness model can increase our understanding of ethical decision-making and develop a perspective that can facilitate enlightenment The nine-consciousness model can distinguish judgment from moral judgment explain the intuition source integrate cognitive and emotional influences interpret the reasons of moral failure and postulate how emotions and cognition work together Considering that the nine-consciousness model comprehensively describes decision processes that take place in the mind it not only provides a guideline for moral judgment but is also helpful in instructing and teaching mindfulness