Liberation of the Mind Primarily Through Manas

Liberation of the mind primarily focuses on the manas (the seventh consciousness, the thinking mind). If the manas is not liberated, none of the six consciousnesses can attain liberation. Afflictions mainly refer to the afflictions of the manas; it is the bondage of the manas that inevitably binds the six consciousnesses. Liberation begins progressively with the severance of the view of self at the stage of Stream-enterer (Sotāpanna), yielding a partial liberation. At the stage of Once-returner (Sakadāgāmi), there is twofold partial liberation. At the stage of Non-returner (Anāgāmi), there is threefold partial liberation. At the stage of Arhat (Arahant), complete liberation is attained. Ultimately, thorough and complete liberation is achieved at the stage of Buddhahood.

The consciousness (mano-vijñāna, the sixth consciousness) ceaselessly arises and perishes; it cannot act autonomously. Merely liberating the consciousness alone is insufficient, as it remains subject to the control and constraints of its master, the manas.