The Relationship Between Manas and the Ālaya-vijñāna

The mental faculty (Manas) and the eighth consciousness are closely interconnected. The mental faculty cannot exist apart from the eighth consciousness; it ceases to exist if separated. Nevertheless, this does not preclude each from possessing its own distinct substance and nature, nor does it hinder their respective functions. The objects discerned by the mental faculty are the dharmas (phenomena) manifested by the eighth consciousness. Due to the vast number of dharmas it discerns and its insufficiently subtle wisdom, it can only perceive general outlines and broad frameworks. To achieve detailed discernment, it must rely on the assistance of the six consciousnesses; only then can it make decisions. The eighth consciousness lacks self-nature (atman); it creates all dharmas entirely based on karmic seeds (bija), and it also gives rise to all dharmas according to causes and conditions (pratyaya) and the volition of the mental faculty. If the eighth consciousness is to operate certain dharmas, the mental faculty must operate simultaneously. If there are no deluded mundane dharmas requiring operation, the eighth consciousness abides in Nirvana, free from deliberate action.