Mental Factors of the Mind Faculty (III)

The three inexhaustible studies of precepts, concentration, and wisdom should not only be cultivated and perfected by consciousness, but primarily, the mental faculty must also follow consciousness in cultivation and become perfected. In the cultivation of these three inexhaustible studies, if the mental faculty does not uphold the precepts, if the mind is scattered, indulgent, and lazy, and inclined to commit unwholesome deeds, then the mental faculty, being the master, will inevitably cause the bodily, verbal, and mental actions of the six consciousnesses to commit unwholesome deeds. Therefore, the precepts primarily focus on restraining the mental faculty. If the mental faculty is not restrained, and only the six consciousnesses are restrained, ultimately, the upholding of precepts cannot be accomplished. The six consciousnesses cannot act as their own master; if the mental faculty wishes to violate the precepts, the six consciousnesses have no choice but to comply. If the mental faculty upholds the precepts, the six consciousnesses will inevitably uphold them as well. Upholding precepts can be superficial or genuinely internal and unbroken. Genuine upholding of precepts means the mental faculty upholds them without violation, guarding the precepts internally; superficial upholding may be pretense, while the mind is actually violating the precepts.

Only when the mental faculty possesses concentration and is free from scattering can it refrain from grasping at external objects everywhere, and only then can the six consciousnesses attain concentration. If the mental faculty is scattered, it is impossible for consciousness to achieve concentration. Only when the mental faculty is settled firmly upon the Buddha Dharma can consciousness single-mindedly and diligently cultivate, remaining steadfastly fixed upon the Buddha Dharma without wavering; if the mental faculty is unsteady and wavering, consciousness has no recourse. From precepts arises concentration; from concentration arises wisdom. Only when concentration is strong can both consciousness and the mental faculty give rise to great wisdom, ultimately transforming consciousness into wisdom. Without concentration, great wisdom cannot arise, and consciousness cannot be transformed into wisdom.