Human Power Through the Eight-Sense Law Song: Discovering the Wisdom of Xuanzang

“If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs, it would be Buddhism.” —Albert Einstein

🌐 Introduction: What Is Human Power?

In today’s overwhelming world of distraction and anxiety, many people are seeking deeper connection, inner peace, and clarity. What if the secret to true human power wasn’t found in ambition or control—but in understanding how we perceive and experience life itself?

One ancient Buddhist teaching, the Eight-Sense Law Song, holds the key.

Originally brought to China by the great monk and scholar Xuanzang, this short but profound text breaks down how our eight senses shape the way we think, feel, and suffer—and how we can rise above that suffering to live in clarity and compassion.

This blog will guide you through the powerful insights of the Eight-Sense Law Song, and show you how human power is not just about strength or success—but about awareness, self-realization, and our connection to the universe.

✨ Who Was Xuanzang? The Scholar Behind the Human Power Teachi

Alt text: Xuanzang’s journey reveals ancient teachings on human power

Xuanzang was a Chinese monk, scholar, and translator who lived in the 7th century. Born into a Daoist family and orphaned at a young age, he was raised by monks and drawn deeply to Buddhist study. Despite mastering hundreds of scriptures, one question troubled him:

How many senses do humans truly have?

The idea that there may be more than five senses—including perception, judgment, and awareness—sparked a quest for truth that led Xuanzang to India, where he defied imperial law and risked his life to reach Nalanda Monastery, the heart of Buddhist knowledge.

There, he studied under the master Jie Xie, debated rival scholars for 18 days, and emerged as one of the greatest minds in Buddhist history. His journey wasn’t just physical—it was a spiritual awakening. And when he returned to China, he brought back a revolutionary teaching: the Eight-Sense Law Song.

🔍 What Is the Eight-Sense Law Song?

The Eight-Sense Law Song is a poetic and philosophical guide to understanding how human perception works. It explores not only the traditional five senses, but also:

• The sixth sense: mental perception and memory
• The seventh sense: ego and judgment
• The eighth sense: universal awareness, or pure consciousness

In just 48 lines, the Eight-Sense Law Song offers a map of the human mind—and shows how we can return to our true human power by transcending judgment and reconnecting with awareness.

🧭 Unlocking Human Power: The Eight Senses Explained

1️⃣ The Five Physical Senses: Pure Perception

Sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch form our gateway to the world. These senses receive information without judgment. They are the foundation of awareness—but when disconnected from deeper senses, they can trap us in distraction.

“To see the mountain is just to see the mountain.”

2️⃣ The Sixth Sense: Mental Travel Beyond Time

Our sixth sense is the mind’s ability to reflect, imagine, and travel beyond the present. It allows us to learn, remember, and anticipate—but it can also pull us away from reality if not grounded.

When used in harmony, the sixth sense enhances our human power by helping us experience beauty, memory, and depth.

3️⃣ The Seventh Sense: Ego, Judgment, and Suffering

Here lies the root of human suffering. The seventh sense evaluates and divides—labeling things good or bad, desirable or not. It’s the voice that says “I like this, I hate that. I am better than them.”

This is the part of the mind that creates separation and fear. According to Xuanzang, this is what we must observe, not obey, if we wish to reclaim our inner strength.

4️⃣ The Eighth Sense: The Origin of All Human Power

Alt text: The Monkey King’s search for human power in Buddhist symbolism

In Journey to the West, the Monkey King (symbol of the mind) leaps across space and time but can never escape Buddha’s hand. This symbolizes the eighth sense: the boundless awareness that contains all things.

This eighth sense is the true source of human power—pure consciousness, unshakable peace, and unity with all existence.

“Verses Delineating the Eight Consciousnesses” by Xuanzang: This resource provides an in-depth translation and explanation of Xuanzang’s work, offering valuable insights into his philosophical perspectives. ​CCBS NTU.

🌸 Rediscovering Human Power Through Stillness and Awareness

Many people chase power externally—wealth, recognition, status. But real human power comes from within. The Eight-Sense Law Song invites us to:

• Observe our thoughts without judgment
• Return to the present moment
• Release the ego’s grip
• Reconnect with the eighth sense—pure awareness

“On this planet, man cannot raise his hand without disturbing the farthest star.” — Sir James Jeans

This quote reminds us: we are not separate from the universe. We are the universe.

🎥 Journey to the West: A Drama About Human Power

One of the most beloved Chinese TV dramas, Journey to the West, is more than entertainment—it’s a symbolic journey of human consciousness.

When I first watched it, something clicked. I realized: this is not just mythology—it’s us. Each character represents a part of our mind. The Monkey King, the scholar monk, the pig, the river monster—each struggle to balance desire, discipline, and wisdom.

The entire journey is a metaphor for reclaiming human power through awareness and compassion.

🔚 Conclusion: Awakening the Human Power Within

The teachings of Xuanzang and the Eight-Sense Law Song remind us of something simple but profound:

You already have the power.
You just have to remember where to look.

By understanding the nature of your eight senses, especially the seventh (judgment) and eighth (awareness), you can release fear, reconnect with reality, and step into the human power you were born with.

Let go of judgment. Embrace stillness. Live from your true source and it is within, to more on how powerful just our body is, click here.