The Connection Between Manas and the Eighth Consciousness

The manas and the eighth consciousness are two consciousnesses closely bound together; the manas cannot exist apart from the eighth consciousness—if separated, it ceases. Yet this does not prevent each from having its own intrinsic nature and mental character, each with its own functions. What the manas discerns are the dharmas manifested by the eighth consciousness; because the dharmas it discerns are numerous and its wisdom is not sufficiently subtle, it can only discern them roughly and in broad outline. To discern them in detail, it must rely on the six consciousnesses to assist in the discernment, and only then can it make decisions. The eighth consciousness has no nature of self; it creates all dharmas entirely in accordance with karmic seeds, and it also gives rise to all dharmas in accordance with conditions and the wishes of the manas. If the eighth consciousness is to run certain dharmas, the manas must be operating simultaneously; if there are no deluded worldly dharmas that need to be run, the eighth consciousness abides in nirvāṇa, doing nothing at all.