Discernment of the Objective Realm by Manas and Consciousness

The nature realm is the shadow of the six dusts manifested by the ālaya-vijñāna based on the true essence of the external world. It is formed by the four great elements within the subtle sense faculties, where the seventh consciousness (manas) perceives and discerns first, followed by the sixth consciousness (mano-vijñāna) perceiving and discerning later. If the seventh consciousness perceives these images without determining to discern them in detail, the six consciousnesses cannot be born to perform discernment, because when the manas does not require these discernment tools of the six consciousnesses, the ālaya-vijñāna will not create the six consciousnesses as tools. It is impossible for the seventh consciousness not to perceive the six dusts. Relying on the ālaya-vijñāna, it is like being near the water gets the moonlight first—it can know everything beforehand through borrowed light. As for what actions to take after knowing, it ultimately depends on the cultivation of the manas.