The Mental Factor of Determination (Adhimokṣa)

All seven consciousnesses possess determination (adhimokṣa) regarding dharmas, because each of the seven consciousnesses has its own corresponding dharmas. If any consciousness cannot attain determination regarding its corresponding dharmas, then that consciousness cannot clearly recognize the corresponding dharmas, and subsequent operations will not occur, or the subsequent operations will be completely disordered. Sentient beings would then be unable to live, work, and cultivate normally, and nothing could be discussed at all. This is so for the six consciousnesses, and even more so for the seventh consciousness. If the consciousness that serves as the master cannot attain determination regarding its corresponding dharmas, it would be like total chaos in the world—even being a deluded sentient being would be difficult. Even bacteria can attain determination regarding the situations they face. As for humans and devas, who are advanced sentient beings, if the seventh consciousness that serves as the sovereign cannot attain determination regarding sense objects and the various other dharmas, how could it regulate and control the operation of the five-aggregate body? It cannot be like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, dazedly giving commands. Such a five-aggregate body could not survive.

For example, take the matter of a person wanting to buy flowers. Upon going to the flower market and seeing numerous fresh flowers, one must make a selection. The eye consciousness must have determination regarding the colors of the flowers it sees, in order to know what the colors of the fresh flowers are. The mind consciousness must also have determination regarding the fresh flowers, in order to know whether they are vivid and fresh, and whether they are what one wants to buy. The manas must have even more determination regarding the fresh flowers, and should all the more clearly understand the varieties, colors, prices, and other details of the flowers that the six consciousnesses see and select, so that it can finally decide whether to buy or not. If it is unclear, or if it cannot make up its mind, it will continue to let the six consciousnesses select and compare, until everything is completely clear and satisfactory, and only then will it make the final decision. Only then will the matter of buying fresh flowers come to an end. It is the same with all dharmas: the manas, the seventh consciousness, must be able to attain determination regarding all the discriminations made by the six consciousnesses, so that it can propel the operation of all dharmas without disorder, allowing the five-aggregate body to live and work normally.