The Determination Mental Factor

Regarding the conviction in dharmas, all seven consciousnesses possess it, for each consciousness corresponds to its respective dharma. If any consciousness lacks conviction in its corresponding dharma, that consciousness will be unable to recognize the dharma it relates to, and subsequent functions will either fail to arise or become entirely disordered. Sentient beings would then be unable to live, work, or practice normally, rendering everything else inconceivable. This applies to the six consciousnesses, and even more so to the seventh consciousness. If the sovereign consciousness lacks conviction in its corresponding dharma, it would be like chaos reigning throughout the world; even becoming an ignorant sentient being would be difficult. Even bacteria possess conviction regarding the circumstances they face. How then can humans and devas, as higher sentient beings, regulate the functioning of the five aggregates if the sovereign seventh consciousness lacks conviction in sense objects and other dharmas? It cannot operate like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse—dazed and confused in its direction. Such a five-aggregate body cannot survive.

For instance, consider the act of a person buying flowers. Upon going to the flower market and encountering numerous blossoms to choose from, the eye consciousness must have conviction in the colors it perceives to discern the hues of the flowers. The mental consciousness must also have conviction in the flowers to determine whether they are vibrant and fresh, and whether they are what one intends to purchase. The manas (the seventh consciousness) must have even greater conviction in the flowers; it must be fully aware of the varieties, colors, prices, and other details that the six consciousnesses perceive and select. Only then can it make the final decision to buy or not. If uncertain or indecisive, it will continue to direct the six consciousnesses to evaluate and compare until everything is completely clear and satisfactory, at which point the final decision is made, concluding the act of buying flowers.

This principle applies to all dharmas. The discerning functions of the six consciousnesses must all be objects of conviction for the seventh consciousness, manas, in order to propel the functioning of all dharmas without error, enabling the five-aggregate body to live and work normally.