Yogācāra Consciousness Theory as a Cognitive Framework for Language Processing in Applied Linguistics

Buddhist Yogācāra consciousness theory offers a complete cognitive system that unifies perception, affect, identity, and habitual cognition, which can improve contemporary second language acquisition (SLA) models. The theory's eight consciousnesses, including manas and ālaya-vijñāna, relate to SLA processes such as input processing, affective filtering, identity negotiation, implicit learning, and long-term memory consolidation. Manas provides a new perspective on anxiety and self-efficacy, while ālaya-vijñāna corresponds to procedural memory and implicit learning. Teachers can apply Yogācāra principles to encourage mindfulness-enhanced attention, design identity-aware instruction, and develop curricula sensitive to students' memory processes, leading to a more integrative understanding of language learning.

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Abstract

In this paper, the authors explore the application of Yogācāra consciousness theory, a highly advanced Buddhist cognitive system, to help develop and improve contemporary second language acquisition (SLA) models. Through conceptual analysis, the study relates Yogācāra concepts the eight consciousness’s, manas, ālaya‑vijñāna, and the seed manifestation mechanism to major SLA processes such as input processing, affective filtering, identity negotiation, implicit learning, and long‑term memory consolidation. The results demonstrate that Yogācāra presents a complete cognitive system that unifies perception affect identity, and habitual cognition, Because of this overcoming deficiencies of mainly Western SLA models. This paper elaborates how manas lends a new perspective on anxiety and self‑efficacy, while ālaya‑vijñāna is a equivalent of procedural memory and implicit learning. Following Yogācāra principles and techniques, teachers can encourage mindfulness‑enhanced attention in students, design identity‑aware instruction, and develop curricula that are sensitive to students' memory processes. The combination of different academic disciplines in this setup not only helps to bring in more cultural perspectives to SLA theory but also leads to a better, more global, and integrative understanding of language learning.