Does the Manas Possess Memory?

What role does the manas play in being skilled and proficient? In worldly matters, mastering a skill requires both theoretical knowledge and practical application. From the Buddhist perspective, theoretical knowledge is the understanding of the consciousness, while practical application is the experiential realization of the manas. Proficiency is the result of continuously practicing and permeating the manas, combined with the illumination of wisdom, summarizing experiences, and enabling the manas to enhance wisdom and transform mental states—only then can one become skilled.

For example, when learning to ride a bicycle, even if one memorizes the theory perfectly, one still cannot ride. One must get on the bicycle and practice repeatedly to learn. The operation of the body is directly controlled by the manas with the support of the tathāgatagarbha. The process of practice is the process of using conscious thought to permeate the manas. When the manas is repeatedly permeated, the operation of the body becomes highly proficient. At this point, consciousness is no longer focused on the act of riding, yet the bicycle remains steady.

The manas directs the operations of the six consciousnesses; when this direction is skillful, the operations become proficient. How can the manas direct skillfully? From this, it is evident that it is absolutely impossible for the manas to lack memory. If the manas had no memory, consciousness could never permeate it—the manas would forget immediately, rendering repeated conscious practice useless. In future lives, when encountering the right conditions, one would learn a certain skill very quickly. This is the memory of the manas at work.