The Distinction Between Consciousness and the Volitional Formations of Manas

To distinguish how the karmic actions created by the manas differ from those created by the mano-vijnana, one must examine whether the karma aligns with the mental formations of the manas or those of the mano-vijnana. Generally, the karmic actions created by the mano-vijnana all align with the manas, because it is the manas that prompts the mano-vijnana to create karma; thus, the karma created by the mano-vijnana is essentially created by the manas. The mano-vijnana can create karma only when permitted by the manas, and it cannot create karma when the manas does not permit it. This is the case under ordinary circumstances.

There is another situation where the power of the mano-vijnana becomes exceptionally strong, overpowering the manas and compelling it to make decisions and create karmic actions according to the intentions of the mano-vijnana. In such cases, the manas is forced to submit to the will of the mano-vijnana and make choices accordingly. At this point, the karmic actions governed by the manas align with the mental formations of the mano-vijnana. The mano-vijnana analyzes the reasoning behind the matter thoroughly and presents compelling arguments, thereby persuading the manas to change its stance.

At this time, the power of the manas is weaker than that of the mano-vijnana, so the manas follows the thoughts of the mano-vijnana to make decisions. Superficially, the manas appears to be in charge, but in reality, the mano-vijnana is the one governing. The actions of body, speech, and mind align with the mental formations of the mano-vijnana, meaning this karma is primarily created by the mano-vijnana. If the manas is completely persuaded and controlled by the mano-vijnana—if the mano-vijnana deems something favorable and the manas fully agrees and concurs—then the karmic actions directed by the manas through the six consciousnesses belong to karma jointly created by both the manas and the mano-vijnana.

If the power of the manas is stronger than that of the mano-vijnana, and the manas disagrees with the viewpoints, opinions, or perspectives of the mano-vijnana, then the manas will insist on making decisions according to its own inclinations. The resulting behavior will align with the habitual tendencies of the manas itself. The karmic actions it prompts the six consciousnesses to create will conform to the mental formations of the manas itself. In this case, the karma belongs solely to that created by the manas.

The distinctions here involve several levels and are not as simple as superficial actions might suggest. Each specific situation requires concrete analysis. To observe whether karmic actions align with the mental formations of the mano-vijnana or those of the manas, one must proceed with analysis from the following aspects: examine whether the mental formations of the mano-vijnana and the manas are consistent. When the mental formations are consistent, both the sixth and seventh consciousnesses are equally virtuous or equally non-virtuous, and the karmic actions created at this time align with the shared mental formations of both. If they are inconsistent, then one must determine whether the karma is primarily created by the manas or dominated by the mental formations of the mano-vijnana, and this must be distinguished based on the specific circumstances.