All Dharmas Are Propelled by Manas

The silent accommodation of the manas refers to its capacity to perceive and cognize any dharmas manifested by the Tathāgatagarbha. After the manas cognizes, if attachment arises, it further generates the mental factor of volition (cetanā). Based on this, the Tathāgatagarbha then manifests the material body, the material world, or the six consciousnesses. All dharmas manifested by the Tathāgatagarbha are ultimately propelled by the manas operating behind the scenes, including the impelling force of karmic seeds and karma. The manas corresponds to these karmic seeds and karma, and its mental activities align with the karmic seeds. All karmic seeds are created under its direction. Therefore, ultimately, all dharmas are propelled by the manas.

The material body is also controlled and mastered by the manas, depending on the extent of its controlling capability. The lifespan of the material body involves, on one hand, the matter of karmic seeds, and on the other hand, issues related to meditative concentration (dhyāna) and merit (puṇya). When possessing meditative concentration, the mental power of the manas is immense, and the mental power of the mental consciousness (manovijñāna) is also great, enabling them to transform the body, mind, and world. Meditative concentration also yields concentration-derived merit, which can alter karmic seeds. With strong concentration power, the ability of the manas and mental consciousness to control the material body increases. The manas can freely control the material body: it can cease immediately if it wishes to die, or it can continue living for decades, centuries, or even millennia if it wishes to live. Lifespan is determined by the manas. Because the karmic seeds are altered and merit is cultivated, the manas can take charge and make decisions regarding the temporary matter of life and death.