The Goal of Subduing the Mind Is to Subdue the Manas

The goal of subduing the mind is to subdue the manas, so that one's countenance does not change and the heart does not skip a beat. After the mind consciousness receives information, the manas does not accept it and does not care about it. "Not taking it to heart" means not taking it into the manas's heart; "in one ear and out the other" also means the manas does not care, does not take it to heart. As the saying goes, "a face as unflushed as a big radish" means that no matter what others say, the manas is not moved. So what is truly moved is still the manas; once the manas is stirred, mental activity arises, and the body and mind react.

So is the mind to be subdued in "subduing the mind" the mind consciousness or the manas? Or does it include both at the same time? One begins by subduing the greedy, hateful, and deluded thoughts of the mind consciousness, and from there gradually deepens, slowly permeating and transforming so as to subdue the manas's greed, hatred, and delusion. Only when both are subdued is it true subjugation. Subduing only the mind consciousness is useless; if the manas wants to direct the mind consciousness toward greed, hatred, and delusion, the mind consciousness has no way to resist and must obey. 

The toxic effects of greed, hatred, and delusion upon the body, mind, and world are in fact all afflictions arising from the manas, which then affect the body and mind, causing adverse reactions in them. When the mind consciousness alone gives rise to afflictions, there is almost no effect on the body; but when the manas gives rise to afflictions, it is terrible—there is nothing one can do, one cannot eat well or sleep soundly, one easily gets inflamed and agitated, one's complexion and color can change, one appears anxious and restless, and even bodily illnesses can appear. The most stubborn ox is still the manas; He is too powerful, and also has authority. Only subduing the manas is true subjugation.