vijnanamatra

The term "vijnanamatra" refers to a key concept within the Vijnanavada, or "Consciousness-affirming," school of Mahayana Buddhism, also known as Yogachara. This school posits that external reality does not exist independently but is instead a projection of consciousness.12

The core idea is that only consciousness and its perceptions are real. To explain the perceived order and continuity in these perceptions, the Yogachara school developed the concept of the alaya-vijnana, or "storehouse consciousness". This is a deeper, unconscious level of awareness that holds all past experiences and impressions, known as vasanas or "perfumings". These impressions act as seeds (bija) for future actions and create the illusion of a distinct self and external world.231

Enlightenment (bodhi) is achieved when this illusion of duality is overcome, transforming an individual into a buddha. The Yogachara school's idealism emphasizes the ultimacy of mind, contrasting with other Buddhist philosophies.14