The Process of Enlightenment

The process of attaining enlightenment through Buddhist practice is said to be both extremely difficult and relatively straightforward. It is difficult because it is immensely challenging to overturn and transform the inherent perceptions of manas (the thinking mind) and to make it accept a fundamental truth. It is straightforward because the steps involved are not complicated, revolving solely around the cognitive understanding of consciousness and manas.

First, through study, consciousness comes to know that there exists a Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature) that permanently resides within the five aggregates (skandhas) and gives rise to all phenomena. Through repeated contemplation and cultivation, manas also comes to recognize that this Tathāgatagarbha is the true self, the genuine master. However, manas is bound to doubt this, believing itself to be the true master, thinking that everything is under its control and subject to its decisions.

To eliminate this doubt in manas, one must first enable manas to realize that neither the five aggregates nor the eighteen elements (dhātus) constitute the true self—including manas itself, which is impermanent, subject to change, and unreal. This realization causes manas to establish a reliance, acknowledging that there is a Tathāgatagarbha upon which it can depend. The next step is for both consciousness and manas to jointly engage in Chan (Zen) practice, investigating the nature of Tathāgatagarbha. If consciousness investigates alone, it amounts to mere reasoning or speculation, termed intellectual comprehension. The conclusion reached is called understanding or conceptual enlightenment, resulting in a "dry wisdom" devoid of the nourishing waters of meditative concentration (dhyāna). In such a state, understanding and practice cannot align, and liberation remains unattainable.

For manas and consciousness to investigate together, meditative concentration is essential. One must use the "doubt sensation" (a focused state of questioning) and the "critical phrase" (huàtóu) to anchor manas, cutting off its random distractions and discursive thoughts, compelling it to contemplate the doubt sensation and critical phrase day and night. Eventually, the mind will become clear, and one’s true nature will be revealed.

The method of enlightenment begins with consciousness and penetrates to manas. It involves grounding the content contemplated by consciousness into manas so that manas comprehends it. Consciousness, acting as a messenger, must skillfully convey the information with wisdom, meticulousness, thoroughness, and precision, fully capturing manas’s attention and mobilizing its initiative. This leaves manas with no retreat; it has no choice but to seriously deliberate, examine, and approve. After consciousness organizes the gathered information and delivers it to manas, it is best to wait quietly, ready at any moment to follow manas’s instructions without causing trouble or adding confusion. This requires considerable meditative stability, allowing manas to investigate and contemplate free from disturbances within a state of concentration. This is the most efficient way to engage in such contemplation.