Only When the Manas Eliminates Self-View Is It the True Elimination of Self-View (ātma-dṛṣṭi)

After the six consciousnesses have all ceased and no longer exist, if there is still a "me" at that moment—that is the manas. If the manas has not eliminated the self-view, then the self-view still exists, and one remains a worldling with self-view. The self-view at this time is the same as the self-view during waking consciousness, with no difference. Because the manas holds a self-view, it thinks that "I" no longer have seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing, cannot perceive the six sense objects, and can no longer act within the six sense objects. Thus it gives rise to the intention to discern the realms of the six sense objects; the tathāgatagarbha cooperates and gives birth to the six consciousnesses, and seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing manifest anew. The five aggregates are obtained and appear, and the manas can then grasp the realms of the six sense objects, grasp seeing, hearing, awareness, and knowing, and grasp the activities of the five aggregates—and so it is bound within the world of the three realms, unable to attain liberation.

Therefore, in eliminating the self-view, one must ensure that the manas eliminates it at the same time. Only after the manas no longer has the self-view can its various grasping tendencies be lightened, can the mind be liberated, and can there be the wisdom of liberation. Even the self-view after death is the same as during life; because of this self-view, one grasps the body of the five aggregates, and the neutrino-body (antarā-bhava) and the bodies of the five aggregates in future lives will be born again and again without end. Moreover, the self-view at rebirth is still the same as in the previous life; being the same as in the previous life, one is still a worldling, and the manas still grasps and craves as before. Therefore, it is because of the self-view of the manas that sentient beings cycle round after round, life after life, with karmic results unceasing and birth and death unending.

If only the self-view would disappear as soon as the six consciousnesses cease—how wonderful that would be! Unfortunately, it cannot. So merely having the mind consciousness eliminate the self-view is of no real use; it does not solve the fundamental problem. One must find a way to have the manas eliminate the self-view.