Attaining Realization Requires Diligent Cultivation and Contemplative Inquiry

Cultivating concentration ensures the continuity of deliberation, contemplation, and investigation, preventing the mind from scattering after brief periods of thought. Without the stability of meditative concentration, contemplation becomes disorganized, and the line of thinking remains unclear.

The process of engaging in spiritual practice and investigation is highly intricate, involving profound and subtle activities of the conscious mind within both the sixth consciousness (mano-vijñāna) and the seventh consciousness (manas). If mishandled or approached without proper skill, the investigation will yield no results. One must learn to skillfully apply the methods of practice, clarifying the activities of the mind within; only then can one understand how to direct the mind and engage effectively in spiritual work.

When the sixth consciousness and the seventh consciousness jointly engage in investigation, the five sense consciousnesses also play a certain role. Otherwise, one would abide in the state of the second dhyāna, where the five sense consciousnesses are absent. In such a state, deliberate contemplation and observation cannot occur, making enlightenment impossible. The Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature) also functions correspondingly within this process; otherwise, the seven consciousnesses would not exist.