Dispelling the Avidyā of Manas Is the True Accomplishment

Can there be a sentient being in the three thousand great thousand worlds who attains Buddhahood with the manas still shrouded in ignorance, harboring erroneous knowledge, misconceptions, and mistaken attachments? Can there be one who becomes a Bodhisattva with the manas still clinging to the view of self, failing to perceive the true reality of the eighth consciousness, or even achieves the transformation of consciousness into wisdom?

The Buddha possesses the perfect clarity of the Four Wisdoms. Which four wisdoms are perfectly clear? Firstly, the consciousness is perfectly clear, ultimately transforming consciousness into wisdom. Secondly, the manas is perfectly clear, ultimately transforming consciousness into wisdom. Then, the five sense consciousnesses are perfectly clear, transforming consciousness into wisdom. Finally, the eighth consciousness is perfectly clear, transforming consciousness into wisdom.

Upon cultivating to the First Ground Bodhisattva stage, the consciousness transforms for the first time into wisdom, becoming the Wisdom of Wonderful Observation. The manas transforms for the first time into wisdom, becoming the Wisdom of Equality. How is it possible for the manas to transform consciousness into wisdom? It is precisely because one has eradicated the view of self, eradicated self-attachment, realized the true reality of the dharmadhatu—the Tathatā mind—eliminated a portion of attachment to dharmas, and attained great wisdom, that consciousness is transformed into wisdom. Otherwise, how could the manas possibly transform consciousness into wisdom?

If one only cultivates the consciousness and does not reach the manas, what can be achieved? It is like only feeding the servant and starving the master—if the master starves to death, can the servant still exist? In warfare, if the staff officer studies the map but does not show it to the general, how can the battle proceed? Who commands the troops?

Can Buddhahood be attained solely by the consciousness acting alone, while the manas remains burdened with all ignorance, not even having eradicated the view of self? Would that result in a Buddha of ignorance? When has liberation from the cycle of birth and death ever been dictated by the consciousness alone, with the manas having no say? At the time of death, if the manas is still steeped in ignorance, what kind of rebirth can it take? Can it take rebirth in a saintly womb? At the time of nirvana, if the manas is laden with all ignorance, fully possessed of the view of self, and clinging greedily to the three realms, can nirvana be attained? Is it possible that nirvana occurs while the manas remains within the three realms, simply because the six consciousnesses cease?

Some people always want the consciousness to be the master, the general, to have the final say in all dharmas. Is this possible? If it were possible, we would all wish for it—for the consciousness to be in charge, making Buddhist study and practice easy and pleasant, attaining Buddhahood in far fewer kalpas, faster than a rocket. The consciousness would ponder, understand, and upon realizing the ultimate state of Buddhahood, one would become a Buddha. However, this is absolutely impossible. Therefore, one must still diligently cultivate the manas, enabling it to comprehend the principles, dispel ignorance, and break attachments.