The Ingenuity of Manas Still Cannot Evade Karmic Retribution

The innate ability to avoid danger belongs to the manas. The conscious mind does not possess this understanding at birth. If one never encounters the relevant environment to learn throughout life, the conscious mind will never comprehend such matters. However, the manas inherently possesses the instinct for survival, requiring no guidance or conditioning from the conscious mind.

The manas of animals also exhibits an aspect of innate perception, possessing numerous inherent abilities. When encountering danger for the first time, their reactions are not taught; they simply know. Before an earthquake, they sense it and instinctively seek shelter without being taught. This innate capability is solely due to the perceptive nature of the manas, and nothing else.

Yet, no matter how perceptive the manas may be, it cannot evade karmic conditions or karmic retribution. Even when reborn in the Heaven of Neither Perception nor Non-Perception to enjoy wholesome retribution, the manas becomes attached to that state. When the life ends and unwholesome retribution arrives, it must still descend to the three evil destinies to suffer. The manas has absolutely no control over this and no means of avoidance.

No matter how perceptive the manas of certain individuals may be, when unwholesome conditions arise, death inevitably comes, and there is absolutely no way to avoid it. Although others may perceive that avoidance was entirely possible, that any accident could have been prevented, for the person facing the arrival of karmic retribution, there is no choice whatsoever. There is no opportunity to choose, no chance to think—life simply ceases.

No matter how perceptive the manas of certain individuals may be, due to deficiencies in karmic seeds and merit, they remain unable to comprehend even the most fundamental Dharma principles correctly, let alone contemplate them properly, which is profoundly regrettable. No matter how perceptive or intelligent the manas of certain individuals may be, if they single-mindedly pursue high positions and wealth, yet due to failing to cultivate merit in past lives, all wholesome retributions pass them by, leaving them to suffer a lifetime of pain and complaint.

No matter how perceptive or intelligent the manas of certain individuals may be, due to having studied Buddhism for only a short time in past lives, even if they diligently practice the Dharma throughout this lifetime with unwavering diligence, they still cannot truly understand and contemplate even the foundational Hinayana practice of cutting off the view of self, let alone attain any fruition.