The Goal of Subduing the Mind Is to Subdue the Manas

The goal of subduing the mind is to subdue the manas—remaining composed with an unchanged countenance and an unperturbed heart. After the mind consciousness receives information, the manas does not accept it and does not care. "Not taking it to heart" means not taking it into the manas's mind; "in one ear and out the other" also means the manas does not care and does not take it to heart. As the saying goes: "A big radish has a face that neither blushes nor pales"—meaning that no matter what others say, the manas is not moved. So what is truly moved is still the manas. Once the manas stirs, mental activity arises, and the body and mind react.

So is the mind to be subdued in "subduing the mind" the mind consciousness or the manas? Or does it include both? One begins by subduing the mind consciousness's thoughts of greed, aversion, and delusion, and from there gradually deepens, slowly permeating and transforming so as to subdue the manas's greed, aversion, and delusion. Only when both are subdued is it true subduing. Subduing the mind consciousness alone is useless: if the manas wants to direct the mind consciousness toward greed, aversion, and delusion, the mind consciousness has no way to resist and must obey.  

The poisonous effect of greed, aversion, and delusion upon body, mind, and world actually all arises from afflictions generated by the manas, which then affect body and mind, causing adverse reactions in them. When the mind consciousness alone gives rise to afflictions, there is almost no effect on the body; but once the manas gives rise to afflictions, it is terrible—one is at a complete loss, unable to eat well or sleep soundly, prone to inner heat, with complexion and color both changing, appearing anxious and restless, and even physical illness can appear. The most stubborn ox is still the manas—He is far too powerful, and He also holds authority. Only subduing the manas is true subduing.