The Eradication of the View of Self by the Manas Is the True Eradication of the View of Self.

After the six consciousnesses have all ceased and no longer exist, if there is still a "self" at that time, it is the manas. If the manas has not eradicated the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi), then the view of self still exists, and one remains a ordinary being with the view of self. The view of self at that time is the same as the view of self when one is awake, with no difference. Because the manas holds the view of self, 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 (pañca-skandha) obtain their appearance, 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 is thereby bound within the world of the three realms, unable to attain liberation.

Therefore, in eradicating the view of self, one must ensure that the manas eradicates it at the same time. Only after the manas no longer has the view of self can its various grasping tendencies be lightened, can the mind be liberated, and can there be the wisdom of liberation. Even the view of self after death is the same as when one is alive; because of the view of self, one grasps the five-aggregate body, and the intermediate body (antarā-bhava) and the five-aggregate bodies of future lives will continuously arise. And when one is reborn, the view of self is still the same as in the previous life—like the previous life, still an ordinary being's body, and the manas still grasps and craves as before. Therefore, it is because of the manas's view of self that sentient beings cycle round and round through life after life, with karmic retribution unending and birth-and-death unending.

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