SHIH-FU:

The fifth skandha is the cause because the physical world, which includes our bodies and the environment, exists as a result of the content of our consciousness. Remember, the consciousness of the fifth skandha is much more than the discriminating mind; it holds within itself the karmic seeds of all past actions. It is our karmic storehouse, our karmic force. Our bodies and the environment are manifestations of whatever is in our karma. Therefore, form (the first skandha) is a consequence of consciousness (the fifth skandha).

Consciousness is also the consequence, because when the three mental skandhas interact with form ─ the environment ─ this generates new karma, which then enters our karmic storehouse, the consciousness of the fifth skandha.

STUDENT:

So you are saying that the reason why the material world ─ body and environment ─ exists in the first place is because of karma, and that is why consciousness is the cause. At the same time, consciousness is a consequence because, as our bodies encounter the environment, our six sense consciousnesses perceive the experience, and we respond, thereby generating new karma, which is in fact the consciousness of the fifth skandha.

What you are saying, really, is that the environment ─ in fact the entire universe ─ exists because sentient beings exist. The karma of all sentient beings creates the universe?

SHIH-FU: