Severing Delusions of View and Thought

Abandoning the view of self is the abandonment of afflictive delusions in knowledge and views, which is the delusion of views. The delusion of views encompasses both the delusions in the conscious intellect's knowledge and views, but most fundamentally, it is the delusion in the knowledge and views of the manas (ego-mind) accumulated since beginningless kalpas. The delusion of views is the affliction in knowledge and views abandoned upon attaining the path of seeing, meaning the eradication of incorrect knowledge and views, primarily including the erroneous knowledge and viewpoints of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses. The delusion of thought is the affliction in thoughts and concepts abandoned during the path of cultivation, referring to afflictive delusions such as greed, hatred, ignorance, arrogance, and so on.

The delusion of views is abandoned upon attaining the first fruition (srotāpanna), while the delusion of thought is abandoned during the third and fourth fruitions, meaning it can only begin to be abandoned after attaining the first dhyāna. Abandoning greed and affection characterizes the third fruition (anāgāmin), while abandoning the single-thought ignorance and the ignorance of self-attachment characterizes the fourth fruition (arhat). Therefore, the view of self held by the manas is also part of the delusion of views, belonging to afflictive delusions in knowledge and views, and should be abandoned during the initial path of seeing. The afflictions of the delusion of thought associated with the manas should be subdued during the second fruition (sakṛdāgāmin), begin to be abandoned during the third fruition, and are fully eradicated in the fourth fruition, equivalent to the eighth bodhisattva ground.

Abandoning the view of self upon attaining the first fruition must include the view of self held by the manas. If it does not include the manas's view of self, attaining the first fruition would be very easy. However, in reality, it is not easy; many people study the Āgama scriptures their entire lives yet fail to attain the first fruition. In fact, many people's conscious minds understand that all dharmas are illusory, like a dream, illusion, bubble, or shadow, yet they still cannot abandon the view of self and become first fruition attainers.

The view of self held by the conscious mind (mano-vijñāna) is relatively easy to abandon because its wisdom is strong; upon hearing the Dharma, it can contemplate and practice, easily dismantling the view of self and ignorance. The manas, however, is more difficult because its view of self and ignorance are deeply ingrained, and the wisdom of the manas is weak; it cannot quickly comprehend the Dharma meanings it encounters. It must rely on the contemplative power of the conscious mind, needing the consciousness to provide information and data for its reference. Only then can the manas ponder and confirm the principle of non-self, thereby abandoning the view of self.