The Unobserved Dharma Does Not Imply Nonexistence

Consciousness and the manas are like two individuals. When one cannot observe the mental state of the other, it is incorrect to assert that the other lacks a particular mental state, thought, emotion, etc. Making such a claim is flawed. Therefore, constrained by afflictions and without having transformed consciousness into wisdom, it is difficult for consciousness to observe the various functions and roles of the manas. When such observation is impossible, definitive conclusions about the manas cannot be drawn.

When the standard for defining a Dharma is unclear, one cannot compare two Dharmas and claim that because A does not conform to B or is inconsistent with B, A must be incorrect. Such a judgment is overly abrupt and irrational. If B is not necessarily the standard or correct, then A's inconsistency with B does not prove that A is wrong.

When a person possesses superior wisdom, understands both A and B, and knows what the correct standard truly is, they can then judge and determine whether A is indeed correct. They can also conclude whether B is correct. This is called relying on the Dharma, not on people. Conversely, not knowing the ultimate standard of the Dharma, lacking the wisdom to discern whether A and B conform to the standard, and arbitrarily asserting that B is the standard simply because it is widely accepted, thereby concluding that A must be wrong since it doesn't match B—this situation absolutely constitutes relying on people rather than the Dharma. It stems from emotional attachment and belongs to the realm of ignorance.