The Status of Consciousness

The mind consciousness only appears four or five months after conception, so the transformation and creation of the material body takes place without any participation from the mind consciousness; even after the mind consciousness is born, it has little to do with the matter. The mind consciousness ranks at most third in importance, and many major matters do not require its participation at all. From this we can see that when the tathāgatagarbha and the manas work in conjunction, they can create the material inanimate world of the universe and the world of the five aggregates—this is truly remarkable, and it is done without the mind consciousness offering plans and strategies or providing any suggestions. Only after the world has been created does the mind consciousness come forth to enjoy it and receive its retribution.