In the absence of the arising of mind consciousness, can the first five consciousnesses arise?

Question: In the absence of mind consciousness arising, can the first five consciousnesses arise?

Answer: The manas contacts a dharma as a whole, which includes the five sense objects and mental sense objects. If the manas simultaneously contacts the five sense objects and the mental sense objects, and simultaneously discerns the five sense objects and the mental sense objects, then when specific discernment by the six consciousnesses is needed, the five consciousnesses and the mind consciousness arise at the same time, in the same instant. If, when the manas contacts a dharma, it first discerns the five sense objects, and in the second instant discerns the mental sense objects, then the five consciousnesses will arise one instant earlier, and in the second instant the mind consciousness arises, and then they discern this dharma simultaneously. The five consciousnesses and the mind consciousness discern simultaneously and also arise simultaneously, but a difference of one instant cannot be ruled out.

From the perspective of contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) through direct perception in meditative concentration: the eye consciousness first discerns the manifest colors, in the second instant the mind consciousness discerns the forms and shapes, and then discerns the expressive and non-expressive forms. The ear consciousness first discerns the coarse, vibratory sound objects, and in the second instant the mind consciousness discerns the loudness and distance of the sounds, and then discerns the coarseness, fineness, categories, and so forth of the sounds.

An object includes color, shape, and substance. Color is the manifest color discerned by the eye consciousness, while the rest—softness and hardness, size, squareness and roundness, texture, and so on—are discerned by the mind consciousness. For any object, the mental sense objects constitute the majority, with the discernment by the mind consciousness being primary. The five consciousnesses and the mind consciousness stand in a parallel relationship; both are employed by the manas and serve the manas. If the manas does not need them, none of them can arise.