The Relationship Between the Four Aspects of Consciousness and the Five Universally Pervasive Mental Factors

The four aspects of mental consciousness are the perceiving aspect, the perceived aspect, the self-verifying aspect, and the aspect of verifying the self-verification. If the perceived aspect seen by mental consciousness is also mental consciousness, then all four aspects rely on mental factors to function, to possess the capacity of perception, to be called the perceiving aspect, to perceive dharmas, and to perceive itself. Among these, mental factors are primarily the five universally functioning mental factors, which operate continuously without interruption at every moment. Without the five universally functioning mental factors, mental consciousness cannot function, and thus the four aspects cannot exist.

When the five universally functioning mental factors operate, mental consciousness can contact dharmas, experience dharmas, recognize dharmas, and function upon dharmas. Thereupon, the perceiving aspect, perceived aspect, self-verifying aspect, and aspect of verifying the self-verification manifest. Simultaneously with the manifestation of these four aspects, the five object-specific mental factors can be expressed, and wholesome or unwholesome mental factors are revealed. That is to say, when the four aspects arise, they must arise together with other mental factors, demonstrating the strength or weakness of mental consciousness, the wholesome or unwholesome mental activities, and the presence or absence of concentration and wisdom, among other qualities.