Adhimokṣa Cetasika

Regarding the conviction in dharmas, all seven consciousnesses possess it, because each consciousness has its corresponding dharmas. Should any consciousness lack conviction in its corresponding dharmas, that consciousness would fail to clearly recognize the dharmas it pertains to. Consequently, its subsequent functions would cease altogether or become entirely disordered. Sentient beings would then be unable to live normally, work, or practice cultivation—nothing could be accomplished. This is true for the six consciousnesses, and even more so for the seventh consciousness. If the sovereign consciousness (the seventh consciousness) lacks conviction in its corresponding dharmas, it would be like plunging the world into chaos and disorder. It would become exceedingly difficult even to exist as an ignorant being. Even bacteria can have conviction regarding the situations they face. If the seventh consciousness—the sovereign consciousness of human and heavenly beings among higher sentient beings—lacks conviction in dust-like phenomena and other dharmas, how could it possibly regulate the functioning of the skandha-body? It cannot operate like a blind cat bumping into a dead rat, giving confused and muddled commands. Such a skandha-body would be incapable of survival.

For example, consider the act of a person wanting to buy flowers. Upon arriving at the flower market and seeing numerous fresh flowers to choose from, the eye-consciousness must have conviction in the colors it perceives to discern the hues of the flowers. The eye-consciousness must also have conviction in the flowers themselves to determine whether they are vibrant and fresh, and whether they are what one intends to purchase. The manas (the seventh consciousness) must have even greater conviction regarding the flowers; it must clearly understand the variety, color, price, and other details of the flowers that the six consciousnesses perceive and select. Only then can a final decision to buy or not buy be made. If it is unclear or if one cannot make up their mind, the six consciousnesses will continue to select and compare until everything is completely clear and satisfactory, at which point the final decision is made. Only then does the act of buying flowers conclude. It is the same with all dharmas. The discerning functions of the six consciousnesses must all be subject to the conviction of the seventh consciousness, manas, in order to propel all activities forward. Only then can everything proceed without disorder, enabling the skandha-body to live and work normally.