The Influence of Dust Realms on Manas in the Absence of the Six Consciousnesses

When the mental faculty (manas) comes into contact with mental objects (dharmas), it subsequently gives rise to mental consciousness, which discriminates those mental objects. Manas contacts mental objects first and perceives them first, while mental consciousness contacts and perceives them later. However, manas perceives less clearly and less precisely than mental consciousness, and after perceiving, it cannot take any action; it must rely on mental consciousness and the five sensory consciousnesses to act. Therefore, all sense objects are perceived first by manas, without needing feedback from the six consciousnesses. Yet the six consciousnesses discriminate the six sense objects in greater detail, and mental consciousness possesses strong logical thinking and observational abilities, capable of providing manas with many suggestions. Manas, receiving feedback from the five sensory consciousnesses and mental consciousness, can understand the sense objects fully and in detail, and then make the final decision. Thus, although manas cannot fully discriminate the realms of the six sense objects, it can still undergo perfuming or grasp a general understanding. For familiar sense objects, its discrimination can be somewhat clearer, thereby exerting an imperceptible influence on manas, which allows this information to be stored as seeds.