The Mental Factors Employed in the Discernment of Pratyakṣa, Anumāna, and Non-Valid Cognition

Among the three types of discernment, which of the fifty-one mental factors are employed depends entirely on the specific circumstances. The mental factors used vary with different situations and individuals. Due to various reasons, different people utilize distinct mental factors. Even for the same person, the mental factors applied differ across time, context, physical and mental states, levels of knowledge, and varying degrees of wisdom. The five universally functioning mental factors are always present, while the five object-determining mental factors may not necessarily all be utilized. The eleven wholesome mental factors may not arise, and the root afflictions along with the major, intermediate, and minor derivative afflictions may or may not manifest, depending on the situation.

Direct perception (pratyakṣa) requires the collection of sufficient data, which demands profound wisdom. The mental factor of resolution (adhimokṣa) must be strong, the mental factor of concentration (samādhi) must be present, and the mental factor of mindfulness (smṛti) must be fully established, ensuring continuous mental engagement without interruption. Inferential cognition (anumāna) requires relatively shallower wisdom and necessitates comparison; without comparison, one cannot know. If there is no relative condition to compare against, there is no starting point. In contrast, direct perception knows directly without comparison, or knows immediately, reflecting sharper faculties. Non-valid cognition (abhāva or apramāṇa) occurs when no evidence can be found—when there is insufficient data and no object for comparison—forcing one to resort to imagination, conjecture, reasoning, and other such methods. The more such methods are employed, the more it indicates limited wisdom and weaker resolution. Naturally, concentration and mindfulness are also insufficient, preventing direct judgment and precluding immediate conclusions.

Inferential cognition is like a person whose ability is insufficient to accomplish a task alone, forcing them to seek help from others to get it done. Non-valid cognition is when even someone to help cannot be found, compelling the person to fumble about left and right, possibly stumbling upon the right answer by chance. Even if they get it right, their wisdom remains insufficient, and it does not constitute direct perception. It is like not being able to see what clothes someone is wearing now and having nothing to compare it to, thus being forced to imagine and guess. Even if the guess is correct, it is not directly seen.

Some people lack sufficient wisdom and do not know how to guide others step by step in spiritual cultivation to attain direct perception and realization. Yet, they still attempt to guide, resorting to the method of elimination. For example, suppose there are five roads leading from this place to five other regions outside the city, with only one road leading to Beijing. Unable to guide others on how to correctly choose, they use elimination. First, they point to the first road; the other person hesitates, pointing uncertainly. Reading the hint in their eyes that it's wrong, they then choose the second road. Seeing from the other's expression that it's also wrong, they eliminate the second road. This way, all four roads are rejected, leaving only the last one. The other person then declares, "This is the road! This road leads to Beijing!" The first person then says: "Well, you said it yourself; I didn't teach you. Congratulations on your realization!" Tell me, does this count as realization? What kind of wisdom arises from such "realization"? Those who mislead others and ruin their disciples are precisely this kind of person—deceiving you with no room for negotiation, while the deceived rejoice in their deception. A pair of fools!