Only with Conclusive Evidence Can the Manas Be Convinced

The seventh consciousness only believes in reality and facts; the five-sense-object realms and matters and principles with insufficient or unreliable evidence are things the seventh consciousness refuses to believe. Even if the mind consciousness performs non-valid cognition, if the evidence is conclusive and the conclusion drawn fully accords with the facts, the seventh consciousness can also believe it. Only after the seventh consciousness believes can it make a decision; otherwise, the seventh consciousness will temporarily refrain from making a decision. Therefore, the seventh consciousness must make decisions based on direct perception. Thus, only when the evidence is conclusive and there is no doubt will the manas be willing to believe, because His own wisdom is insufficient; only when the ready-made sense objects, matters, and principles are laid out before Him will He be willing to believe. He Himself cannot make detailed comparisons and imaginings, because His wisdom for concrete analysis is insufficient.

Therefore, when encountering any matter, if we want the seventh consciousness to accept or affirm it, there must be sufficient evidence. This requires the mind consciousness to carry out meticulous thinking and analysis and produce persuasive grounds. In this way, contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) through deliberation and systematic organization become especially important. If the manas's wisdom were also complete, we would not need to go to such great lengths in learning Buddhism.