The Varying Depths of Infusion in Manas

Question: If after hearing a certain teaching and learning a Dharma method—such as the illusory nature of the five aggregates, impermanence, emptiness, and non-self—one's mind genuinely changes in daily life, whether through major adjustments in work and lifestyle, or by experiencing diminished craving for previously beloved objects, feeling a sense of detachment, is this considered a transformation of manas?

Answer: This change occurs at the stage of cultivating the Thirty-Seven Aids to Enlightenment. When practice becomes relatively effective, and manas begins to undergo influence, the mind shifts toward the Noble Eightfold Path, subduing some coarse afflictions of greed. When the body, mind, and world transform, it is due to manas being influenced and transformed. This means that at any stage of practice, as long as manas is influenced, the practice yields results. The Thirty-Seven Aids to Enlightenment must also reach manas; otherwise, it is false practice, not yet on the true path. However, such bodily and mental transformation is insufficient for a complete rebirth, let alone enabling the eradication of the view of self. Therefore, many who claim to have eradicated the view of self show little improvement or change in their physical or mental state afterward—their "bones" remain unchanged, and their ordinary mortal frame cannot be replaced with that of a sage.

Before attaining the fruition of enlightenment, the Buddha Dharma must permeate manas. When manas is influenced by wholesome dharmas, it undergoes change, and the body and mind transform accordingly. This is especially true at the moment of attaining the fruition, which is then called the power of samadhi. If, in the process of studying the Dharma, the influence does not reach manas, and it is merely the conscious mind absorbing and understanding knowledge, manas will remain as before, with no transformation of body, mind, or world. In such cases, eradicating the view of self and attaining fruition will remain distant and uncertain.

Even if manas is influenced before attaining the fruition, if it has not reached a sufficient degree, one still cannot eradicate the view of self or attain the fruition. Therefore, for the transformation of body and mind, the transformation of bodily, verbal, and mental actions, the eradication of the view of self, and the realization of one's true nature—manas must be thoroughly permeated to a considerable extent. A slight change in manas is insufficient. A complete rebirth requires the thorough transformation of manas, eliminating its afflictive defilements and severing the five grades of deluded thoughts in the desire realm. Only then can karmic seeds be stored in the eighth consciousness, ensuring rebirth in the wholesome paths of humans or devas in future lives, without falling into the three evil destinies. There are still those who cling stubbornly to the notion of attaining fruition through the conscious mind, opposing the concept of attaining fruition through manas—remaining obstinate, unyielding, and truly beyond remedy.