The Wisdom of Equality of Manas

At the initial stage of the Ground of Supreme Joy, the seventh consciousness possesses the Wisdom of Equality. This means that upon entering the initial stage of the Ground of Supreme Joy, the seventh consciousness undergoes the transformation of consciousness into wisdom, thereby attaining a portion of the Wisdom of Equality. After the seventh consciousness cultivates the six perfections of a bodhisattva, gains insight into the mind, and awakens, it attains prajñā wisdom. As prajñā wisdom increases, it acquires subsequent wisdom. Through cultivating the path, it attains the first dhyāna, eradicates afflictions, successively passes through the Yangyan barrier and the dream-like barrier, and after realizing the remainderless nirvāṇa, it cultivates consciousness-only, attaining a portion of consciousness-only wisdom. Upon entering the initial stage, the sixth consciousness initially transforms consciousness into wisdom, attaining the initial portion of the Wonderful Observing Wisdom, while the seventh consciousness initially transforms consciousness into wisdom, attaining the initial portion of the Wisdom of Equality. These two consciousnesses undergo three transformations of consciousness into wisdom before attaining Buddhahood, at which point ignorance and defilements are completely eradicated, transforming entirely into clarity. Only then do the eighth consciousness and the five sense consciousnesses respectively transform into the Great Mirror Wisdom and the Perfect Accomplishment Wisdom, thereby perfecting the Buddha path.

A first-ground bodhisattva eradicates the characteristic of ordinary beings, enters the Tathāgata's family, and becomes a true child of the Buddha. This represents an immense transformation in the study and cultivation of Buddhism, marked by an extremely strong sense of significance and supreme joy within the mind, hence it is called the Ground of Supreme Joy. The Wisdom of Equality of the seventh consciousness emerges during the cultivation process in the three virtuous stages after realizing the mind. It signifies the successful transformation based on the eighth consciousness. The seventh consciousness realizes the equality of the eighth consciousness, constantly observing that although sentient beings experience different karmic results, the eighth consciousness—the cause presenting these results—is fundamentally equal. Therefore, their appearances are also equal. In this way, the marks of self, others, sentient beings, and life-span are genuinely eliminated. The seventh consciousness truly realizes that all sentient beings are essentially equal and will ultimately attain Buddhahood. Gradually, the mind of the seventh consciousness develops equality. After eradicating afflictions and transforming consciousness into wisdom, it enters the initial stage.

Therefore, at the very moment of realizing the mind, it is imperative that both the seventh and sixth consciousnesses realize the mind simultaneously. Only then can they possess prajñā wisdom, eradicate the four marks, eliminate afflictions, pass the three barriers of Chan Buddhism, realize the Yangyan barrier and the dream-like barrier, eradicate the characteristic of ordinary beings, attain the first portion of consciousness-only wisdom of a first-ground bodhisattva, realize the true suchness nature of all dharmas, attain a portion of the One True Dharma Realm, and ultimately attain Buddhahood.

Arhats do not possess the Wisdom of Equality in their seventh consciousness because they have not realized the mind or attained awakening, lacking prajñā wisdom and consciousness-only wisdom. However, they do possess a certain degree of equality, but its basis differs from that of a first-ground bodhisattva. Arhats perceive all sentient beings as empty and devoid of self, having eradicated all afflictions in their minds and eliminated the four marks. From this perspective of emptiness, the seventh consciousness sees all sentient beings as equal. However, it cannot perceive the equality of all dharmas; it does not know that all dharmas are of the nature of the eighth consciousness, the nature of true suchness, and the One True Dharma Realm. Therefore, it lacks the Wisdom of Equality.

Examining the entire path of cultivation for Arhats, from the first fruition to the fourth fruition, the wisdom of the pure Dharma eye is attained simultaneously by both the seventh and sixth consciousnesses. Otherwise, they could not eradicate afflictions, enter the nirvāṇa with or without remainder, nor eliminate the four marks. If the seventh consciousness, the mental faculty, cannot eradicate the view of self, it cannot eliminate the afflictions of ignorance. Birth and death cannot be ended, the dust and toil of the three realms cannot be transcended, the cycle of rebirth cannot be stopped, suffering cannot be severed, and spiritual cultivation would be meaningless.