Methods of Training the Manas in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (Manas Training Section)

The contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) method taught by the World-Honored One in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sūtra is precisely a method for training the manas. First, looking at the contemplation of the breath: the World-Honored One simply had his disciples observe as it truly is—whatever state the breath is in at present, observe that state, without adding the mind consciousness's deliberation and imagination. The mind consciousness is only responsible for drawing the manas toward the matter of the breath; nothing else needs to be attended to—do not stir thoughts, and do not go looking for trouble when there is none. How does the mind consciousness draw the manas toward the breath? The mind consciousness need only fix its attention on the breath and watch the breath, without using language, words, or inner monologue. At this time the manas cannot command the mind consciousness, and other dharmas cannot be grasped at; it can only follow the mind consciousness's focus to observe the breath.

During the contemplation of the breath, the mind consciousness knows the conditions of the breath—its coming and going, its length, and so on—without any processing or embellishment. The manas also gradually sets aside the various conditions and, together with the mind consciousness, single-mindedly observes the breath, knowing the state of the breath at each present moment. Gradually this becomes a habit, becoming almost automatic, and one will observe the breath whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. Developing this habit is very important: once the habit is formed, it becomes the dominant force. As the days and months pass, when the conditions mature, one will discover the truth of the breath, and the truth of the emptiness and non-self of the material body. The contemplation of other dharmas proceeds in the same way: tether the wild horse of the manas so that it abides in mindfulness of this very object, and when the mind becomes as fine as a hair, the truth will be discovered. If the manas is not tethered, the manas will be like a playful monkey and a galloping horse, its attention scattered, wisdom will not arise, and the truth cannot be discovered—one will instead drift endlessly along the current of birth and death.

The Satipaṭṭhāna Sūtra is an excellent sutra. Its method of practice applies to both the Mahāyāna and the Hīnayāna. Its method of applying effort is simply to observe earnestly, to observe as things truly are, without entertaining other thoughts and without processing or embellishment. The mind consciousness draws the manas along, and the manas restrains the mind consciousness's wandering thoughts; working together, they realize the non-self of the five aggregates (pañca-skandha). This gateway of practice applies to the contemplative practice and realization of all dharmas, and it carries over into future lives' cultivation: in later lives, upon encountering the Buddha's teachings again, one will automatically practice contemplation in this way, and realization will then be easy. The contemplative practice method taught in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sūtra is precisely the method for training the manas—guiding and restraining the manas, and cultivating the habit of contemplative practice. What follows will naturally come to completion as water flows into a channel, as if it had become practice without effort (anābhoga-caryā), operating spontaneously and naturally, and wisdom will surely open.