Meaning-Expressing Designation (abhilāpa) and Manifesting-Object Designation (abhilāpa)

Question: Can it be understood this way—in the vast majority of cases, we use meaning-expressing designation (abhilāpa) to think about various problems, including both worldly and world-transcending dharmas. At such times, although the manas participates, its participation is very shallow. Without training, it is difficult for the mind consciousness to think using manifesting-object designation (abhilāpa). Through training, such as cultivating meditation and acquiring a certain power of meditative concentration, one can then think without using meaning-expressing designation, and instead directly use manifesting-object designation to think. At that time, the mind consciousness and the manas both participate together, and the manas can participate more deeply. Is the above statement correct?

Answer: The meaning of manifesting-object designation is that the minds and mental factors of the seven consciousnesses can together bring forth and manifest various states of realm, so that others can understand and comprehend them. All seven consciousnesses possess this function; it is not only the manas that has this function. Meaning-expressing designation uses words, terms, and sentences to express the thoughts and states within the mind, so that others can understand and comprehend them. This is a function possessed by the mind consciousness; the manas does not have it, nor do the five sense consciousnesses.

Meaning-expressing designation is divided into language and writing, and initial application and sustained examination (vitarka-vicāra). Initial application and sustained examination is also a characteristic of the mind consciousness. The mind consciousness can comprehend the states of the six sense objects, and afterward it can apply initial application and sustained examination to the six sense objects, and engage in deliberation. The manas does not have this kind of surface-level function; the function the manas performs is hidden and profound, covert and difficult to detect, yet its operation is also quite powerful. If the seeds of consciousness of the two consciousnesses are less diverted into fragmentation, less discriminating other mental sense objects, then their operative force is considerable, and they can master all dharmas, and their discerning wisdom can become even more powerful. When the power of meditative concentration strengthens, the manifesting-object designation function of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses becomes prominent, the manas's role stands out, is fully utilized and brought into play, and its discerning function becomes even more powerful, so that it may be able to think through all dharmas thoroughly, with wisdom welling forth.