The a^da^na-vijn~a^na which is， in East Asian dharma-characteristic schools， equivalent in meaning to a^laya-vijn~a^na 阿赖耶识. The special connotations implied by a^da^na is that of 执持--holding， or maintaining， as is the base consciousness which holds and maintains the sense consciousnesses， seeds， and the appearance of individuality. Also translated into Chinese as 执持识--the "maintaining consciousness."［显扬论， T 1602.31.480c］ （2） Also used as a term for the seventh consciousness， or the obstructed neutral aspect of the eighth consciousness. In schools such as Dilun and Shenglun， this had to be interpreted as the seventh consciousness， as they understood the eighth consciousness to be completely undefiled.