The Role of the Sixth and Seventh Consciousnesses in Physical, Verbal, and Mental Actions

Question: Since the manas (the mental faculty) governs the physical, verbal, and mental actions of a person, what specific roles do the six consciousnesses play in the physical and verbal actions?

Answer: The mind consciousness is the specific executor of physical and verbal actions, meaning it is the agent. From observing physical and verbal actions, one should understand how the mind consciousness operates and what function it serves. For instance, walking, standing, sitting, lying down, speaking, laughing, eating, drinking, and so forth are all produced by the operation of the mind consciousness and the body consciousness; however, the manipulator is the manas. Superficially, it may seem like the mind consciousness is directing, but the mind consciousness merely offers suggestions; the specific decisions lie with the manas. During the operation, the mind consciousness might generate other thoughts, advising the manas. If the manas deems it reasonable, it will adopt the suggestion; if it disagrees, the decision and command remain unchanged, and the mind consciousness must proceed as usual.

Physical actions are the combined operation of the mind consciousness and the body consciousness; verbal actions are also the combined operation of the mind consciousness and the body consciousness; seeing form is the combined operation of the mind consciousness and the eye consciousness; hearing sound is the combined operation of the mind consciousness and the ear consciousness; smelling scents is the combined operation of the mind consciousness and the nose consciousness; tasting flavors is the combined operation of the mind consciousness and the tongue consciousness; feeling touch is the combined operation of the mind consciousness and the body consciousness. In the operation of the six faculties, the mind consciousness is always involved. Without the mind consciousness, the five aggregates (the psychophysical organism) cannot move; if the mind consciousness is weak, the five aggregates also find it difficult to move.

Question: I recall the Master stating in the Dharma teachings that the manas directly regulates the human nervous system, and the nervous system directly controls muscle contraction. From this, it can be seen that the direct operator regulating human muscle activity is the seventh consciousness (manas), not the sixth consciousness (mind consciousness). Why then is it said that physical action is the functional role of the mind consciousness?

Answer: Clearly, significant physical, verbal, and mental actions all require the mind consciousness to operate; otherwise, the six consciousnesses would be useless, and the body could not function. Although the contraction and relaxation of the nervous system are regulated by the manas and are also subconscious actions, they are very subtle and faint. This includes breathing, where part involves conscious participation, and part does not require it. Physical movement cannot be completed at all without the mind consciousness. Subtle nervous system activities may not require the mind consciousness, such as body twitches during sleep, eyelid fluttering, or slight bodily movements. Slight breathing may also not require the mind consciousness, but the mind consciousness can actively regulate breathing, such as through deep breaths.

Muscle and nerve activities closely connected to the physical body can be regulated by the manas alone, without requiring the mind consciousness to cooperate. The mind consciousness can participate, but it can only guide the manas; it cannot command the entire body, because the manas alone can control the central nervous system, issuing commands there that can be transmitted throughout the body. Nervous activities involving the mind consciousness are called conscious actions; those not involving it are called unconscious actions. Examples include breathing activities, muscle contraction and relaxation, incontinence, gastrointestinal peristalsis, the circulation of qi and blood, and some special emotional activities like being startled and terrified (heart pounding and flesh jumping), hair standing on end in rage, or being scared out of one's wits (scared until feces and urine flow). However, the motor activities of the body faculty must involve the joint operation and regulation of the body consciousness, the mind consciousness, and the manas.