The Power of Introspection of the Manas

The power of introspection of the manas is possessed by all sentient beings; it is only that the mind consciousness lacks great wisdom, and before consciousness is transformed into wisdom, it cannot observe it. Although the manas knows all dharmas, this knowing must rely on the observation of the mind consciousness; if the mind consciousness cannot observe it, then it counts as not knowing, and the manas's knowing, unknown to the mind consciousness, seems to serve no purpose.

After the manas knows something, in order to get things done, it must rely on the mind consciousness; if the mind consciousness does not know, nothing can be accomplished. Therefore, all people take the knowing of the mind consciousness as their knowing; if the mind consciousness does not know, they consider themselves not to know, and if they themselves do not know, they say it does not exist. This is the thinking and logic of the vast majority of people, and this logic is mistaken. If sentient beings lack great wisdom, they cannot recognize any of their errors, let alone correct them. Since sentient beings cannot recognize their own errors and ignorance, and do not know that they are situated amid a great many pitfalls, there is no way for them to crawl out of these pitfalls; a fog forever stands before their eyes, and they can see nothing clearly—this is ignorance (avidyā). The heavier the ignorance, the harder it is to have the wisdom to see facts clearly, and the harder it is to attain liberation.