The Function of the Power of Intention

Why can a person with good meditative concentration heal someone's illness merely through thought/intention? Is it a direct communication between one eighth consciousness and another? The power of intention is primarily the mental power (念力) of the manas, and secondarily also the mental power of the mind consciousness. When the manas has great mental power, great mental strength, and firm resolve, and the eighth consciousness cooperates, it will comply with the mental power of the manas and realize what the manas thinks, envisions, and wishes. For the mental power of the manas to be great, there must be meditative concentration, so that all of the manas's energy is concentrated in one place; only then is its force great, prompting the eighth consciousness to accord with its mind and fulfill its wishes.

If one kills a person through intention, one can indeed kill that person; killing by intention constitutes the karmic offense of killing and carries an evil retribution. If one saves a person through intention, one can bring that person back to life; this constitutes wholesome karma and carries wholesome retribution. If one changes another person through intention, one can indeed change that person, and there is karmic retribution. Never provoke a person whose power of intention is extremely strong; try instead to accord with them. If you provoke them, you will meet with misfortune without them even moving an eyeball, and you will not even know why you are unlucky. Such a person can stand against ten thousand or even a hundred thousand, equivalent to the strength of an army. A powerful force of intention arises, first, from merit, second, from the power of meditative concentration, and third, from the power of wisdom (prajñā-bala). In cultivation, you should rely primarily on yourself, with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as support. Believe in your own power and gradually reduce your dependence; then you will gradually grow strong.