The Connection between Manas and Ālaya-vijñāna

The consciousness of the mental faculty (manas) and the eighth consciousness (Alaya-vijnana) are intimately connected. The mental faculty cannot exist apart from the eighth consciousness; separated from it, it ceases to be. Nevertheless, this does not preclude each having its own essential nature and mental characteristics, nor each possessing its own distinct functions. What the mental faculty perceives are the dharmas projected by the eighth consciousness. Because the dharmas it perceives are numerous and its wisdom is insufficiently subtle, it can only perceive generalities and broad outlines. To perceive in detail, it must rely on the assistance of the six consciousnesses for perception; only then can it make decisions. The eighth consciousness lacks self-nature; it creates all dharmas entirely based on karmic seeds, and it also gives rise to all dharmas based on causes and conditions and the intentions of the mental faculty. If the eighth consciousness needs to operate certain dharmas, the mental faculty must operate simultaneously. If there are no illusory worldly dharmas requiring operation, the eighth consciousness enters nirvana and remains inactive.