The Mental Factor of Determination (Adhimokṣa)

All seven consciousnesses have determination (adhimokṣa) regarding dharmas, because each of the seven consciousnesses has its own corresponding dharmas. If any consciousness cannot firmly determine its corresponding dharma, then that consciousness-mind cannot clearly recognize the corresponding dharma, and subsequent operations will not occur, or the subsequent operations will be completely disordered. Sentient beings would then be unable to live, work, and cultivate normally, and nothing could be accomplished at all. This is so for the six consciousnesses, and even more so for the seventh consciousness. If the consciousness that serves as the master cannot firmly determine the dharmas it corresponds to, it would be like the whole world falling into chaos—even being a foolish sentient being would be difficult. Even bacteria can firmly determine the situations they face. As for the higher sentient beings among humans and devas, if the seventh consciousness, which acts as the master, cannot firmly determine sense objects and the various other dharmas, how could it regulate and control the operation of the five-aggregate body? It cannot direct things in a dazed, muddled way, like a blind cat bumping into a dead mouse by chance. Such a five-aggregate body could not survive.

For example, take the matter of a person wanting to buy flowers. The person goes to the flower market and, upon seeing numerous fresh flowers, must make a selection. The eye consciousness must have determination regarding the colors of the flowers it sees, in order to know what the colors of the fresh flowers are. The eye consciousness must also have determination regarding the fresh flowers, in order to know whether the flowers are vibrant and fresh, and whether they are what one wants to buy. The manas must have even stronger determination regarding the fresh flowers, and should be even more clear about what the six consciousnesses see and select—the varieties, colors, prices, and other details of the flowers—before it can finally decide whether to buy or not. If it is not clear, or if it cannot make up its mind, it will continue to let the six consciousnesses select and compare, until everything is completely clear and satisfactory, and only then will it make the final decision; only then will the matter of buying flowers come to an end. It is the same with all dharmas: whatever the six consciousnesses discern, the seventh consciousness, the manas, must be able to firmly determine it all, so that it can drive all operations forward without disorder, allowing the five-aggregate body to live and work normally.