What Is Meant by Perfuming the Manas?

When the mind consciousness contemplates dharmas, forming its own thoughts, concepts, views, and understanding, this constitutes perfuming the manas. Only when the mind consciousness contemplates with focused attention does the perfuming become effective. When it draws the manas's attention and serious regard, that is the initial effect. When the manas gives rise to alertness and deliberation (manasikāra), the effect becomes more pronounced. When the manas's deliberation is focused and deep, and moreover accords with reason, the effect of perfuming becomes even more evident. When the manas's deliberation gains a clear thread, the effect begins to manifest. When the manas deliberates out the flavor of the dharma and arrives at a preliminary determination, the true effect emerges. When the manas reaches a very clear and reasonable conclusion, firmly acknowledges what it has contemplated, and makes the corresponding determination and judgment, one can say the perfuming has succeeded. The manas has transformed, and all subsequent mental actions will transform accordingly, revolving around the manas's judgments and determinations — then the perfuming has reached completion.