Perceiving subject (Buddhism)

Tsung-mi, a chronicler of Ch'an (Zen), indicated the process whereby, in the unenlightened aspect of alaya-vijnana, intrinsic enlightenment is gradually overlaid by delusion and, in the enlightened aspect, the delusion systematically removed. Perception of subject arises as the fourth stage in the downward process, and is the second of three subtle appearances of phenomena, comparable with dreaming. It is counteracted by mastery of mind.