Meaning-Expressing Words and Object-Manifesting Words

Question: Can it be understood this way—in the vast majority of cases, we use meaning-expressing designation (artha-abhidhāna) to think about all kinds of problems, including both worldly and world-transcending dharmas, and at such times, although the manas participates, its participation is very shallow. Without training, it is difficult for the mind consciousness to think using manifesting-object designation (vijñapti-abhidhāna). Through training, such as cultivating meditation and acquiring a certain degree of meditative concentration (samādhi), one can then think directly with manifesting-object designation without using meaning-expressing designation. At that time, the mind consciousness and the manas participate together, and the manas can participate more deeply. Is the above statement correct?

Answer: The meaning of manifesting-object designation is that the seven consciousnesses—minds and mental factors (caittas)—can jointly set off and manifest various states, allowing others to understand and comprehend them. All seven consciousnesses possess this function; it is not only the manas that has this function. Meaning-expressing designation uses words, terms, and sentences to express the thoughts and states within the mind, so that others can understand and comprehend them. This is a function possessed by the mind consciousness; the manas does not have it, nor do the five sense consciousnesses.

Meaning-expressing designation is divided into language and writing, and initial application and sustained examination (vitarka-vicāra). Initial application and sustained examination is also a characteristic of the mind consciousness. The mind consciousness can comprehend the states of the six sense objects (ṣaḍ-viṣaya), and afterward it can apply initial application and sustained examination to those six sense objects, and engage in deliberation. The manas does not have this kind of surface-level function; the function the manas performs is hidden and profound, covert and difficult to detect, yet its function is also quite considerable. If the consciousness-seeds of these two consciousnesses are less diverted into differentiation, less divided into discriminating other mental sense objects (dharma-viṣaya), then their operative force is considerable, and they can master all dharmas, and the wisdom of discernment can become even more powerful. When the power of meditative concentration strengthens, the manifesting-object designation function of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses becomes prominent, the function of the manas stands out, is fully utilized and brought into play, and its capacity for discernment becomes even more powerful; it may be able to think through all dharmas thoroughly, with wisdom welling forth.