The Isolated Activity of Manas Also Constitutes Karmic Actions and Retribution

For practitioners of the Pure Land tradition who cultivate diligently in the Saha world, the manas (intentional mind) and the Tathāgatagarbha manifest a lotus throne in the Pure Land; this is the karmic seed. When the karmic seed matures, after death, they are reborn within a lotus in the Pure Land; this is the karmic fruition of their practice. During cultivation, karmic seeds are stored; when the seeds mature, they receive the wholesome retribution in the Pure Land. The manas, separating from consciousness, facilitates the appearance of the lotus throne in the Pure Land; this should also be considered karmic action and the fruition of cultivation. However, whether this fruition is ultimately attained depends on conditions—whether the seeds can mature. If the practice regresses, the immature seeds wither, the lotus throne in the Pure Land vanishes, and rebirth at the time of death cannot be achieved.

After a night's sleep, upon waking in the morning, consciousness feels as if it has understood a matter or comprehended a principle. Throughout the night, consciousness did not manifest; it was entirely the manas engaging in independent mental activity, resulting in the resolution of a matter. When consciousness reappears, it becomes clear about this matter. This also constitutes karmic action, stores seeds, and bears karmic retribution. If the manas spends the entire night reciting the Buddha's name or mantras, or engages in Chan meditation throughout the night, even without the manifestation of consciousness, it is still cultivation—indeed, the best and most successful cultivation. It belongs to karmic action, stores seeds, and bears karmic retribution. However, the mental activities and investigative actions performed solely by the manas are the result of previous cultivation undertaken together with consciousness, being influenced by it. Therefore, the karmic actions performed solely by the manas also belong to fruition.

If the manas engages in discussing the Dharma with someone in the middle of the night, wisdom can also increase. If, in the middle of the night, one seeks teachings from Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Guanyin Bodhisattva patiently provides answers, then upon awakening, consciousness comprehends and receives the nectar of the Dharma. If one falls seriously ill, and the manas seeks medicine from an immortal or a Bodhisattva in the middle of the night, then after taking it, one awakens the next day recovered from the illness. This belongs to karmic action and also constitutes karmic retribution.