The Uninterrupted Attention of the Manas and Buddhist Practice and Realization

Question: Uninterrupted mental application seems to occur only after the Dharma principles have penetrated the manas, and only manas can achieve uninterrupted mental application with constant mindfulness. In fact, are not the merits inevitably derived from the recognition or transformation of manas? As long as manas genuinely recognizes and embraces the Dharma, the merits of realization will naturally arise, and wisdom will also manifest. This is a series of natural occurrences, and the root of realizing the Dharma still lies in manas. Is that correct?

Answer: That is correct. Uninterrupted mental application—"uninterrupted" meaning without cessation—can only be achieved when manas continuously relies on the Dharma principles day and night, constantly mindful without interruption. This requires the mental consciousness to be permeated by the Dharma through practice. Once the manas is successfully permeated and considers the Dharma essential, it will remain constantly mindful of the Dharma, with thoughts never departing from it. One day, the Dharma will surely be attained. If manas does not remain mindful of the Dharma, the mental consciousness's focus on the Dharma will inevitably break, unable to rely on the Dharma uninterruptedly.

Through methods like hypnosis, manas can also be led to recognition, after which a transformation occurs in manas. The degree to which each person's manas recognizes and attains the Dharma differs, resulting in varying levels of impact, transformation, and wisdom. Therefore, fundamental wisdom still refers to that brought about by manas.