According to Yogācāra, suffering is viewed as a result of ignorance and attachment to the illusion of a separate self. The root cause of suffering is seen as the belief in a permanent, independent self, which leads to attachment to worldly desires and aversion to unpleasant experiences.

In Yogācāra philosophy, consciousness is seen as the ultimate reality, and all external phenomena are considered to be projections of the mind. This means that suffering is not caused by external circumstances, but rather by our own perceptions and interpretations of them.

The concept of the "eight consciousnesses" is central to understanding suffering in Yogācāra. The first six consciousnesses are the senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mental consciousness), which perceive external objects. The seventh consciousness is the "manas," which is responsible for creating a sense of self and attaching to external objects. The eighth consciousness is the "ālaya-vijñāna," or the storehouse consciousness, which holds all of our past experiences and influences our present perceptions.

According to Yogācāra, suffering arises when the seventh consciousness creates a false sense of self and attaches to external objects, causing the ālaya-vijñāna to store these attachments. This creates a cycle of craving and aversion, leading to suffering.

To overcome suffering, Yogācāra teaches the practice of meditation and mindfulness to cultivate awareness and insight into the true nature of reality. By understanding that all external phenomena are projections of the mind, one can let go of attachments and the illusion of a separate self. This leads to a state of liberation known as "nirvana," where suffering ceases to exist.

In Yogācāra, the ultimate goal is to reach a state of "Buddha-mind," where one's consciousness is fully awakened and free from all attachments and suffering. This is achieved through the practice of "emptiness," which is the understanding that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence.

In summary, Yogācāra views suffering as a result of ignorance and attachment to the illusion of a separate self. The root cause of suffering is seen as the belief in a permanent, independent self, which leads to attachment and aversion. Through the practice of meditation and mindfulness, one can overcome suffering and reach a state of liberation and enlightenment.