The Contents of Manas Fall Within the Scope of Vijñapti-mātra and Bīja-jñāna

Nearly one hundred percent of people mistake the state of the manas for the state of consciousness. Therefore, when someone explains the true characteristics of the manas, they are accused of confusing the manas with consciousness. Yet, it is actually over ninety-nine percent, if not one hundred percent, of people who have it reversed. This is because all these individuals are afflicted with all defilements; obscured by ignorance and afflictions, they have not transformed consciousness into wisdom, and thus cannot directly observe the current functioning of the manas. Naturally, they misunderstand it one hundred percent. In any era, it is impossible for the vast majority to be highly intelligent and free from afflictive obscurations while a few individuals are of low intelligence, leading to misinterpretations of the Dharma. In the Saha World, those who err will always be the overwhelming majority, and those lacking wisdom will also remain the vast majority. It is impossible for the vast majority to have transformed consciousness into wisdom and attained the Wisdom of Wonderful Observation—one hundred percent impossible. Therefore, those who consider themselves clever should not be overly confident, let alone slander others, to avoid serious consequences.

All content regarding the manas falls within the scope of the Wisdom of Consciousness-Only. All aspects related to Consciousness-Only also belong to the Wisdom of Consciousness-Only, and this is especially true for the mental factors associated with each consciousness. Unless one is a Bodhisattva who has entered the stages, it is best to remain silent and avoid debating everywhere. Without the wisdom of direct observation through direct perception, it is impossible to directly observe the specific operational state of the manas. What is spoken about is mostly imagination and speculation, often amounting to putting Zhang's hat on Li's head. This is generally the case for Dharma practitioners in the Saha World. It is impossible for many to have transformed consciousness into wisdom, attaining the Wisdom of Wonderful Observation and the Wisdom of Equality. Without such wisdom, one should diligently practice in silence, striving to swiftly attain the first dhyana, eliminate afflictive obscurations, cultivate various wisdoms of observation, and enter the Tathagata’s family early. Only then, in meditative concentration, can one directly observe the functioning of the manas and guide others in resolving issues related to the manas, thereby enhancing the Wisdom of Consciousness-Only.