The State of Samadhi

When the eyes remain motionless, fixedly gazing at one place, whose concentration is this? What causes it, and why does it occur? When the eyes stare fixedly at a particular spot, the visual consciousness is certainly concentrated, the five concomitant consciousnesses are also concentrated, and the independent consciousness does not arise. If it arises, distraction occurs, which can be described as a monkey-like, unrestrained mind. This concentration occurs because the manas fixes the visual consciousness and mental consciousness upon the object focused on by the manas. It is caused by the manas directing its attention to this one place; it is the result of the manas attending to this single location. The tathāgatagarbha gives rise to the visual consciousness solely to perceive this one place—there is no second or third location. If the manas attends to multiple forms, the tathāgatagarbha will necessarily give rise to visual consciousness and mental consciousness in multiple places, causing the visual consciousness to dart about erratically.

When mental consciousness is concentrated in contemplation, this is the concentration of the independent consciousness. The eye faculty may contact a particular form, but the visual consciousness and the five concomitant consciousnesses do not engage in discrimination. This concentration is also facilitated by the manas. When the manas seeks to comprehend a question, it causes mental consciousness to focus intently in contemplation, rendering other objects unseen, unheard, and unattended. Therefore, only when the manas is concentrated can the six consciousnesses become focused and unmoving. The six consciousnesses are mobilized and directed by the manas.