Why the Wisdom of Consciousness Surpasses the Wisdom of Manas

The wisdom of consciousness is far greater than that of the manas. One reason is that the objects perceived by consciousness are much fewer than those of the manas. Consciousness is not the master mind; it does not need to govern all matters, so it has fewer attachments and can focus more easily on contemplating issues, discerning states with greater clarity. In contrast, the manas perceives, clings to, and discriminates numerous dharmas. It can perceive all dharmas arising from the tathāgatagarbha. Throughout all time, every matter related to oneself, every subtle change in the body root at each instant, the manas can perceive and know. Even matters unrelated to oneself, due to the habitual tendency of clinging, it still reaches out to grasp and cling to them. Consequently, the mind’s thoughts are not easily concentrated, its discerning wisdom is weaker, and its understanding of dharmas is unclear.

Another reason why the wisdom of consciousness surpasses that of the manas is that consciousness exists only for one lifetime, is influenced very lightly by the environment, lacks the afflictions and ignorance of the manas, and does not carry as many karmic obstacles. With fewer obscurations, consciousness is wiser than the manas.

If the objects perceived by the manas were fewer, if the ignorance in the mind were not so profound, and if immeasurable karmic obstacles from life and death had not accumulated since beginningless kalpas, then the manas could be as wise as consciousness. Even with insufficient evidence, it could deduce a reasonable conclusion and thereby realize the truth. But manas is not like this, which is why our practice and realization are so difficult.