The Knowing of the Five Consciousnesses and the Knowing of the Sixth and Seventh Consciousnesses

The knowing of the eye consciousness and the knowing of the five consciousnesses have no names and labels, whereas the knowing of the mind consciousness has names and labels. For example, when the eye consciousness knows sunlight and knows it is glaring, there is no name and label of "sunlight," no verbal designation, no name and label of "glaring," no verbal designation of "glaring." Only when the mind consciousness and the eye consciousness together discern the sunlight does one know that it is sunlight, and know that sunlight is glaring. However, closing the eyes to avoid the sunlight is a decision of the manas; the eye consciousness and the mind consciousness merely execute it rapidly and unconsciously. Why can the manas make decisions so quickly? Because the discernment of the sunlight by the eye consciousness and the mind consciousness in an instant is all transmitted to the manas, and the manas can know it in every instant—and knowing it correctly, it can then make correct and reasonable decisions so as to seek benefit and avoid harm. If what the eye consciousness and mind consciousness discern is material form unfamiliar to the manas, the manas cannot make decisions so quickly, because the manas may not necessarily be able to properly understand the material form transmitted to it; it must deliberate (manasikāra) and examine it, and only after deliberating until it understands does it make a decision. There are also times when the manas deliberates without understanding; then it cannot truly understand the material form transmitted to it, and if it is forced to make a decision, it will make a wrong decision. Therefore, whether the manas's decisions are fast or slow, correct and reasonable or not, also depends on the manas's experience and wisdom.