The Mental Factors of the Manas (2)

The mind consciousness conveys its intention to study Buddhism and to be diligent to the manas, and conveys its understanding of the Buddha-dharma to the manas. Only when the manas fully understands and has determination (adhimokṣa) can it agree with the mind consciousness's ideas and the content of its deliberation, make a decision, give rise to a diligent mind, and practice diligently. The reason the mind consciousness can successfully perfume the manas is precisely that the manas has comprehended the content of the mind consciousness's deliberation and discernment, and has comprehended the mind consciousness's choices and judgments; only then can the manas make its choices accordingly.

If the manas cannot comprehend the content of the mind consciousness's mental activity of deliberation (manasikāra) and its analysis and judgment, it cannot agree with any of the mind consciousness's choices, and the mind consciousness cannot perfume the manas. Then the manas can never be perfumed, and thus cannot change itself, remove afflictions, and eliminate ignorance. When the eighth consciousness brings karmic seeds to manifestation and karmic conditions appear, if the manas lacks the power of determination (adhimokṣa) regarding them, it cannot immediately take action and make responsive reactions. When a car approaches from the opposite direction, if the manas has no comprehension of this matter, it will not know there is danger, and thus cannot decide to dodge immediately; sentient beings would never be able to avoid danger and would never live out their natural lifespan.

Animals' manas also has the power of determination (adhimokṣa), which is why they have intuitive reactions, and their intuition is even sharper than that of humans. When a disaster is about to occur soon and karmic conditions manifest, the manas comprehends their significance, knowing they can bring harm to itself; the manas then decides to flee, and the animals exhibit various abnormal reactions. Animals' mind consciousness can also observe; they simply cannot speak or express themselves. When the mind consciousness reaches a conclusion through observation, the manas can comprehend and grasp it, and then takes corresponding action. Animals can mutually understand each other's thoughts, and they cooperate in their actions, sometimes with great coordination. These cooperative actions are initiated by the manas's choices, so animals' manas can comprehend each other's mental states, facial expressions, and body language—of course, this comprehension is achieved through the analysis and judgment of their mind consciousness, from which they make choices and responses.