Who Is It That Clings to the Five Aggregates Subject to Clinging

The aggregate of clinging must be clung to by the manas. Because the manas exists perpetually throughout lifetimes without perishing, and is the master consciousness, it has regarded itself as the master of all dharmas since beginningless kalpas. Therefore, it must cling to all dharmas and grasp all phenomena; only then can all dharmas exist without perishing. If the manas ceases to cling, all dharmas will certainly cease to manifest, and the self will inevitably vanish. Because the manas clings to the aggregate of form, clings to the aggregate of feeling, clings to the aggregate of perception, clings to the aggregate of mental formations, and clings to the aggregate of consciousness, the five aggregates arise and cease, cease and arise again, continuously without end, never severed or extinguished. Why is this so? Because the tathāgatagarbha eternally complies with and accommodates the manas, comprehending its mental activities and desires. When the manas clings, the tathāgatagarbha manifests accordingly, and thus the five aggregates do not vanish or perish. Of course, this also involves karmic seeds and karmic conditions. If the manas ceases to cling, the karmic seeds will be extinguished, karmic conditions will not arise, all dharmas will not manifest, and the five aggregates will disappear.

The manas clings to the aggregate of form, grasping forms and greedily clinging to the physical body. Thus, it delights in a life of extravagant clothing and delicacies, greedily indulging in food, drink, lodging, and comforts, meticulously maintaining and caring for the physical body.

The manas clings to the aggregate of feeling, greedily clinging to sensations and fixating on sensory experiences. For example, when drinking tea, it perceives the tea as delicious, extends a hand to take the cup and pour tea, cup after cup, slowly savoring the flavor until satisfied. Who instructs the conscious mind to cling to the taste of tea and its sensations like this? It is directed and dominated by the manas. Because the manas is fixated on the subtle charm of tea and clings to the sensory experience, it does not hesitate to waste precious time tasting tea. Some even greedily crave the taste of alcohol, indulging in drunkenness, heedless of harming the body. Another example is when sitting in meditation, if the body and mind feel comfortable, the body becomes unwilling to move, the mind grows lazy, and it avoids contemplating issues. This is because the manas does not want to move, clinging to the comfortable sensations, and thus prevents the body from rising to be active. Because entering meditative absorption is comfortable, the manas clings to the sensations of sitting in meditation and does not wish to move or emerge from absorption. Unconsciously, the manas clings to and greedily grasps many sensations without realizing it, because the manas finds it difficult to introspect its own clinging to these sensations. Only when consciousness, through studying the Dharma and gaining realization, continuously hints at and restrains the manas, can the manas be subdued. Only then can it cease clinging to sensations, attain liberation, and no longer be bound by sensory experiences.

The manas clings to the aggregate of perception. There is no major or minor event under heaven it does not wish to know; it pays attention to all domestic and international news. It is interested in others' affairs, whether related to itself or not, and wants to know everything, regardless of whether it should be known. Ears hear all matters under heaven; eyes observe all scenes under heaven; the mind is filled with people and events of the past, present, and future. Because the manas clings to the aggregate of perception, it must watch television and read newspapers daily, collecting various messages and information. All these are actions performed by the six consciousnesses under the direction of the manas clinging to the aggregate of perception.

The manas clings to the aggregate of mental formations. Throughout the day, it ceaselessly engages in activities, unwilling to rest quietly even for a moment. When there is something in the east, it goes east; when there is something in the west, it goes west; wherever there is something, it appears there. Physical, verbal, and mental actions never cease. How could there be concentration when the manas clings to the aggregate of mental formations like this?

The manas clings to the aggregate of consciousness. Eyes observe all directions, ears listen to all sounds; internally, thoughts churn incessantly, awareness and observation never stop; past and future arise in endless streams of thought, refusing to let the mind become still or idle. Because the manas clings to the cognitive nature of the six consciousnesses, it refuses to let them cease, so seeing, hearing, feeling, and knowing continue without end. If the manas is pure and does not desire unbeneficial activities, the six consciousnesses will become tranquil.