The Presence of the Mental Factor of Volition Does Not Imply the Capacity to Be the Master

Although the eighth consciousness can discern karmic seeds, knowing whether karmic seeds have ripened and knowing when they should be brought forth into manifestation to realize karmic retribution, this function of the eighth consciousness operates spontaneously and naturally—it is a principle that has always been so. It is not that He insists on being in charge to realize karmic retribution. When causes and conditions present themselves, He necessarily accords with them and never goes against them. Yet no matter what, His mind remains unchanged, suchness is immovable; He is forever a person with nothing to do, with not a single speck of dust falling into His mind.

Although the eighth consciousness has the mental factor of volition (cetanā) and can make decisions, being able to make decisions does not mean being able to be in charge. This is because the first five consciousnesses also have the mental factor of volition and can also make decisions, but they cannot be in charge; they can only follow instructions. So-called decision-making means that the mind becomes resolved with regard to the dharmas it contacts and knows, bringing those dharmas into operation and processing the dharmas it has discerned. This is the scope of each consciousness's proper function and does not represent the capacity to be in charge. If it did represent the capacity to be in charge, sentient beings would have eight consciousnesses all being in charge—would they not have gone mad long ago?