Can the first five consciousnesses arise without the mind consciousness arising?

Question: Can the first five consciousnesses arise without the mind consciousness arising?

Answer: The manas contacts a dharma as a whole, including the five material sense-objects and the mental sense-object. If the manas simultaneously contacts both the five material sense-objects and the mental sense-object, and simultaneously discerns them, then when specific discernment by the six consciousnesses is needed, the five consciousnesses and the mind consciousness arise in the very same instant. If, when the manas contacts a dharma, it first discerns the five material sense-objects, and in the second instant discerns the mental sense-object, then the five consciousnesses will arise one instant earlier, and the mind consciousness arises in the second instant, after which they discern the dharma simultaneously. The five consciousnesses and the mind consciousness discern simultaneously and arise simultaneously, but a difference of one instant between them cannot be ruled out.

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

An object includes color, shape, and substance. Color is visible form discerned by the eye consciousness, while the rest—softness, hardness, size, squareness, roundness, texture, and so on—are discerned by the mind consciousness. For any object, the mental sense-object constitutes the majority, with the mind consciousness's discernment 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.