The Five Aggregates Have Only the Manas as the Master Consciousness

The equality wisdom (samatā-jñāna) of the manas means seeing all sentient beings as equal to oneself without any difference, with no distinction between self and others, contemplating that true suchness and Buddha-nature are identical, without giving rise to discriminating thoughts, and contemplating that all dharmas are of one suchness without giving rise to discriminating thoughts. Yet no matter what, the manas remains the master consciousness, and this cannot be changed. Just like a country, it absolutely cannot function without a leader; if there are two leaders, both wanting to be in charge, then there will be great chaos under heaven. If within the five aggregates there were two master consciousnesses, there would also be great chaos!