True Wisdom Is the Wisdom of Manas

From the phenomenon of immediately speaking out upon encountering a question, one can observe the operation and function of the seventh consciousness (manas), which constitutes the mental functions (cetasika) associated with the seventh consciousness. What mental functions does the seventh consciousness possess, and what psychological processes lead to immediate verbal responses? If someone answers a question immediately upon hearing it, without needing to think, it indicates that they possess thorough understanding and familiarity with the matter, having frequently encountered it before, thus requiring no present deliberation or consideration. This "self" that responds is the seventh consciousness; individuals who react swiftly possess experiential wisdom regarding the matter within their seventh consciousness, eliminating the need for the sixth consciousness (mano-vijnana) to assist in analysis.

Conversely, if the seventh consciousness is unfamiliar with the matter, lacks prior experience, or possesses insufficient wisdom to discern, encountering situations or problems necessitates employing the sixth consciousness to assist in deliberation and analysis. Only then can the seventh consciousness make its decision based on this process. This procedure is slower, preventing an immediate answer or resolution, as it involves an intermediate process of conscious deliberation. The seventh consciousness then draws a conclusion based on the results of the sixth consciousness's deliberation, indicating that the seventh consciousness lacks sufficient wisdom to independently deliberate, judge, and decide.

Wisdom (prajna) acquired through the immediate deliberation and analysis of the sixth consciousness, relying on the sixth consciousness to gather information, cannot be considered true wisdom.