Who mistakes the mano-vijnana as the self?

Question: When I say "my consciousness," who is this "I" referring to? To whom does consciousness belong? When I say "my manas (mental faculty)," who is this "I" referring to? To whom does manas belong? When I say "my five aggregates," who is this "I" referring to? To whom do the five aggregates belong?

Ru Chun: "My consciousness" – this "I" refers both to consciousness and to manas. Consciousness is jointly possessed by the seventh consciousness and the eighth consciousness. "My manas" – before realizing manas, this "I" primarily refers to consciousness. Manas has coexisted with the eighth consciousness since beginningless kalpas; perhaps it doesn't belong to anyone? Or could it be said that it belongs to itself? "My five aggregates" – this "I" refers to consciousness and manas. The five aggregates are jointly possessed by the seventh and eighth consciousnesses.

For example: The shop owner (the eighth consciousness) uses the seven great elements as ingredients, adds seasonings (causes and conditions), and then, based on the customer's demand (the volition of manas) and the amount paid (karmic seeds), makes dumplings called the "five aggregates dumpling" and the "consciousness dumpling." Thus, the five aggregates dumpling and the consciousness dumpling should be the cooperative product of the shop owner and the customer, belonging to them. The shop owner and the customer have a cooperative relationship, not a subordinate one. I'm not sure if this understanding is correct; recently my mind tends to wander.

Commentary: When a person says "my consciousness," this "I" has two aspects: one is isolated consciousness, and the other is manas. The self-witnessing and self-confirming function of isolated consciousness can observe and verify itself; possessing self-awareness, it takes the functions of consciousness itself as "mine," also takes the functions of the first five consciousnesses as "mine," and simultaneously takes the functions of manas as "mine." The other "I" that takes consciousness as "mine" is manas. Manas takes all dharmas as "me," engaging in parikalpita (false discrimination); naturally, it takes the functions of consciousness as "mine."

When someone says "my manas," this "I" also has two aspects: one is isolated consciousness, and the other is manas itself. Because manas has the self-witnessing and self-confirming function, capable of observing and verifying itself, possessing self-perception, it takes its own functions as "mine." Whether manas is realized or not, it inherently possesses this characteristic of adherence. In summary, the "I" of sentient beings includes both consciousness and manas, with the "I" of manas being stronger, used more frequently, and occupying a dominant position.

This question is not about discussing to whom consciousness, manas, and the five aggregates objectively belong, but rather about identifying who subjectively takes these dharmas as their own. One must learn to comprehend the question, not rely solely on personal conjecture.