The Perfect and Clear Knowing of Manas within the Attainment of Cessation (Nirodha-samāpatti)

Original text of the Śūraṅgama Sūtra: The World-Honored One said: “诸灭尽定得寂声闻。如此会中摩诃迦叶。久灭意根圆明了知。不因心念。”

The cessation attainment (nirodha-samāpatti) is the ninth sequential meditative absorption, above the four dhyānas and eight absorptions. Within the cessation attainment, not only are the six consciousnesses extinguished, but the feeling and perception mental factors of the manas are also extinguished; however, the manas still has the three mental factors—intention (manaskāra), contact (sparśa), and volition (cetanā)—functioning. If all five universal mental factors of the manas were extinguished, then there would be no physical body and no first seven consciousnesses, leaving only the eighth consciousness; that would be entering nirvāṇa without remainder (anupadhiśeṣa-nirvāṇa). For the fourth-fruit great arhat who has entered the cessation attainment, because the six consciousnesses and the feeling and perception mental factors of the manas have been extinguished, there is no feeling-sensation and no grasping attachment to the six sense objects, and thus the mind attains tranquil cessation. Although only three mental factors remain, Mahākāśyapa is nevertheless able to use these three mental factors to perfectly and clearly know all dharmas, substituting for the functions of the six consciousnesses without any obstruction. Without the mental factor of mindfulness of the six consciousnesses, and without the mental factor of mindfulness of the manas, without stirring a single thought, the manas can perfectly and clearly know all dharmas.