The Process of Enlightenment

The process of attaining enlightenment through Buddhist practice is said to be extremely difficult yet also quite straightforward. It is difficult because it is incredibly challenging to reverse and transform the inherent perceptions of the manas (the seventh consciousness) and compel it to accept a fundamental truth. It is straightforward because the steps involved are not complicated, dealing solely with cognitive issues of the sixth consciousness (mano-vijñāna) and the manas.

First, through study, the sixth consciousness comes to know that there exists a tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature) that permanently resides within the five aggregates (skandhas) and gives rise to all phenomena. Through repeated contemplation and cultivation, the manas also comes to recognize that this tathāgatagarbha is the true self, the genuine master. However, the manas will surely doubt this, believing itself to be the true master, thinking that everything is under its control and subject to its decisions.

To eliminate the doubt of the manas, one must first enable the manas to realize that neither the five aggregates nor the eighteen elements (dhātus) constitute the true self, including the manas itself, which is also impermanent, subject to change, and unreal. In this way, the manas will establish a reliance, acknowledging that there is a tathāgatagarbha to depend upon. The next step is for both the sixth consciousness and the manas to jointly engage in Chan (Zen) practice, investigating the tathāgatagarbha. If only the sixth consciousness investigates alone, it is mere reasoning or speculation, termed intellectual understanding or conceptual comprehension. The conclusion reached is called intellectual understanding or analytical insight, resulting in a "dry wisdom" unmoistened by the water of meditative concentration (dhyāna). Understanding and practice cannot correspond, making liberation impossible.

For the manas and the sixth consciousness to investigate together, meditative concentration is essential. Using doubt (yíqíng) and the critical phrase (huàtóu) to anchor the manas, one must cut off its random mental wandering and discursive thinking, compelling it to focus day and night on the doubt and the critical phrase. One day, the mind will surely become clear, and one's true nature will be seen.

The method of attaining enlightenment begins with the sixth consciousness and penetrates to the manas. The content contemplated by the sixth consciousness must be conveyed to the manas for its understanding. The sixth consciousness, acting as a messenger, must employ skillful means (upāya), be meticulous and wise, think thoroughly and rigorously, fully capture the attention of the manas, mobilize its initiative, and leave it no retreat, compelling it only to seriously deliberate, examine, and approve. After the sixth consciousness organizes the collected information and delivers it to the manas, it is best to wait quietly, ready at any moment to heed the manas's instructions, causing no trouble or disturbance for it. This requires considerable meditative concentration, allowing the manas to investigate and contemplate free from interference within the state of concentration. This is the most efficient way to conduct such investigation.