A Single Thought Not Arising Is Accomplished Through the Manas

Some say that recollection is entirely a function of the mind consciousness, having nothing to do with the manas. The mind consciousness can indeed recollect, but the mind consciousness is a dharma born of causes and conditions; only when there are causes and conditions can the mind consciousness arise, and if the causes and conditions are not complete, the mind consciousness cannot arise. What causes and conditions prompt the mind consciousness to arise and recollect? Why can the mind consciousness recollect? It is, of course, because the manas recalls past events, the Image-Only Object appears, faculty and sense-object come into contact, and the manas wishes to do something; only when the eighth consciousness complies with the mental activity of the manas does the mind consciousness arise and engage in recollection; otherwise, the mind consciousness cannot arise. Therefore, whether the mind consciousness can recollect depends on whether the manas takes past events as its object and whether it wants to understand something. If the manas does not dwell on past events and has no mental activity, the mind consciousness will not arise, let alone recollect or deliberate, nor will various emotions appear.

If the manas has no mental activity and does not wish to create any dharma, the mind consciousness can remain in a state where not a single thought arises; if the manas has mental activity and wants to create some dharma, the mind consciousness will inevitably create in compliance with the manas's intentions and cannot remain in a state where not a single thought arises. Therefore, the samādhi of the mind consciousness being without a single thought is entirely determined by the manas and controlled by the manas; if the manas grasps at other dharmas, the mind consciousness has no way to settle into concentration.

When the mind consciousness is without a single thought, the manas can likewise be without a single thought; or even if it gives rise to thoughts, they need not affect the mind consciousness. As long as there is no intention to create anything, the mind consciousness can still remain without a single thought.