All Dharmas Are Subsumed Under the Manas Consciousness

The mental faculty (manas) is a subtle and profound self. It regards all dharmas as itself; thus, all dharmas are naturally utilized by the manas-vijñāna (the seventh consciousness). It regards the five aggregates as itself, so the functions of the five aggregates become its own functions. It considers the functional roles of the eighth consciousness (ālaya-vijñāna) as its own functional roles, and it takes the functional roles of the six consciousnesses as its own functional roles. Consequently, all dharmas are employed by the seventh consciousness, the mental faculty. Moreover, since it persists unceasingly through all lifetimes, all karmic retribution is naturally experienced and enjoyed by it. At all times, it is asserting "I, I, I," functioning as a highly astute conscious mind, embodying a concentration of habits, afflictions, and defilements. Without the participation of the manas-vijñāna, no single matter can be accomplished; this holds true even for meditation. If the mental faculty does not make the decisive commitment to engage in meditation, the mental consciousness (the sixth consciousness) cannot meditate. Therefore, the method of meditation is also utilized by the mental faculty. Once the mental faculty is activated, all endeavors become twice as effective with half the effort. Frequently present facts and reason to the mental faculty, enabling it to realize the selflessness of all dharmas. When the mental faculty comprehends the truth, all matters will be fundamentally resolved, ultimately leading to the attainment of Buddhahood.