Yogācāra Consciousness Theory as a Cognitive Framework for Language Processing in Applied Linguistics
International Journal of Versatile Research and Analysis July 1, 2026 Nguyen Thi Nhien Trang, Le Hong Linh
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.