Successful Habituation Requires Simultaneous Realization of the Dharma by the Sixth and Seventh Consciousnesses

The true realization of all dharmas is simultaneously attained and acknowledged by the sixth and seventh consciousnesses. If only the conscious mind (the sixth consciousness) believes something to be a certain way, but the manas (the seventh consciousness, or root consciousness) does not acknowledge it, remains unaware, and does not comprehend the principles acknowledged by the sixth consciousness, then the manas has not been successfully perfumed. It has not realized the Buddha Dharma, and a transformation in body, mind, and world cannot occur. This is because the conscious mind operates only superficially, its thinking is relatively shallow, and it lacks autonomy, being entirely dependent on the direction of the deeper manas. If the manas has not been successfully perfumed, it will still govern all actions and functions of the conscious mind based on its original, inherent cognitions. Consequently, the conscious mind's individual understanding alone cannot exert its due effect.

The manas is the predominant consciousness, commonly referred to as the subconscious mind deep within. If principles and matters are acknowledged deep within the manas, they can impel actions of body, speech, and mind to function according to those acknowledged principles. Although, prior to severing self-attachment, the manas still harbors attachments and afflictions and cannot fully make choices based on the realized principles, nonetheless, the manas has undergone a conceptual transformation. When the manas severs afflictions and self-attachment, the inner self ceases to exist, and the perfuming can be considered highly successful.

The process of conscious thinking is the process of enabling the manas to comprehend principles. This is an essential process that must be undergone; the conscious mind must think, and think deeply. If it does not think, the manas cannot comprehend the principles. If the principles understood by the conscious mind are not yet comprehended by the manas, actions of body, speech, and mind cannot change. The manas must rely on the specific information from the conscious mind's thought process to understand the principles grasped by consciousness. If the conscious mind does not engage in thinking, no information is transmitted to the manas. The manas then fails to discern these principles, cannot comprehend them, cannot be prompted to change its views, and consequently, actions of body, speech, and mind also cannot change. Therefore, in our cultivation and study of the Buddha Dharma, we must be adept at thinking, making good use of the conscious mind to contemplate and observe phenomena in accordance with the Dharma. In practicing the Buddha Dharma, we cannot allow the conscious mind to remain perpetually in a state free from thoughts and awareness, nor can we let it lie idle and useless. If we do, we cannot deeply comprehend the principles, and wisdom cannot grow.