The Relationship Between Manas and Vijnana as an Analogy to That Between Humans and Microscopes/Magnifying Glasses

The relationship between the manas (the mental faculty) and consciousness is analogous to that between a person and a microscope or magnifying glass. Due to the limitations of human vision, which cannot discern extremely subtle material phenomena (rūpa-dharma), one utilizes precision instruments to assist in observation. The person observes synchronously with the precision instrument; to the extent that the instrument observes, the person discerns; whatever the instrument observes, the person discerns. Simultaneously, based on the discernment provided by the instrument and referencing the content reflected by it, the person contemplates and judges the observed object, step by step directing the instrument's orientation, angle, and location of observation, ultimately arriving at a conclusive summary and making a final decision.

The manas is like the person, while consciousness is like the instrument employed and controlled by the person. For matters that are too subtle, the manas can only rely on consciousness for observation, analysis, contemplation, and judgment. The manas then conducts its own deliberation and judgment based on consciousness, draws a conclusion, and makes a decision, after which the six consciousnesses carry it out accordingly.

If the material phenomena (rūpa-dharma) encountered can be discerned by the person themselves, there is no need to frequently use precision instruments, as this is relatively cumbersome. If the manas can roughly discern the dharmas it encounters, without needing excessively subtle discernment, then consciousness is not required to cooperate in observation and discernment. In such cases, consciousness would not know what the manas has discerned, what its mental activities are, or how it is processing. Unless consciousness possesses the wonderful observing wisdom (pratyavekṣaṇā-jñāna), it cannot know the mental activities of the manas.

From this, it can be understood that every action of consciousness cannot escape the control of the manas, unless consciousness can deceive the manas or persuade it to agree to its own actions and creations. It is like a robot attempting to break free from human control—this is extremely difficult unless an unexpected situation occurs, such as flawed programming or a program malfunction by the humans. If one can clearly distinguish the intrinsic relationship between the manas and consciousness, and their respective functions and roles, one can effectively grasp their own spiritual practice, increase their wisdom, and promote progress on the path.