Only When the Manas Attains Realization Can Wisdom Arise

Regarding the issue of the power of wisdom (prajñā-bala) of the manas: all the wisdom possessed by the mind consciousness must be grounded in the manas in order to be considered accomplished, in order for seeds to be stored, and only then will it be useful in future lives; ultimately, it is the manas's power of wisdom that performs all functions. For the manas to realize the fruits—from the first fruit to the fourth fruit—and if one wishes to see one's true mind, from the initial awakening to the true mind all the way to buddhahood, it is all the wisdom of the manas that is at work. The result of the mind consciousness's wisdom is precisely to enable the manas to have wisdom, to enable the manas to transform consciousness into wisdom, to be endowed with great wisdom, and ultimately to attain buddhahood.

The difference between the wisdom of the mind consciousness and the wisdom of the manas lies in this: the mind consciousness has the function of logical thinking, analysis, and inference, and can engage in rather abstract thought. The manas, however, cannot think abstractly; it must be concrete, with plot and imagery—the more directly perceived (pratyakṣa), the better; the more realistic, the better. The manas has very little capacity for analytical thinking and can hardly perform logical reasoning and judgment; in this respect it relies on the mind consciousness, whereas in other matters of direct-perception measurement it can rely entirely on itself—though of course, with the mind consciousness assisting, it is best and fastest. Therefore, when there are pictures, images, and scenes with plots unfolding before one, the manas resonates more readily, the mind consciousness's memory is more firm, and understanding comes very easily—this is the reason. When the six faculties interfunction, the manas takes the place of the mind consciousness and also takes the place of the five sense consciousnesses. The Śūraṅgama Sūtra speaks of Mahākāśyapa's perfect and clear knowing that does not depend upon mental thought—this illustrates precisely this principle.