The Manas Possesses the Mindfulness Mental Factor

If the manas does not contemplate the dharmas, how can the consciousness contemplate them? When the manas comes into contact with the dharmas it contemplates, seeking to discern them clearly, the tathāgatagarbha accordingly gives rise to consciousness. The consciousness, obeying the directives of the manas, will then contemplate the dharmas contemplated by the manas. If the manas does not contemplate the dharmas, it does not come into contact with them, does not seek to discern or engage in mental formations, and the tathāgatagarbha cannot manifest consciousness for further action; thus, there is no consciousness to contemplate the dharmas.

Whatever dharmas the manas does not contemplate will not manifest. The dharmas contemplated by consciousness are all the result of the manas' contemplation, all outcomes arranged and mobilized by the manas. Consciousness cannot arise without the contact condition provided by the manas; it cannot arise without the volition (cetanā) of the manas determining its arising. Consciousness cannot independently determine its own arising or any of its activities, for it is not the sovereign consciousness. Due to its lack of autonomy, it serves as the instrument of the manas, obeying its commands.

All five sense consciousnesses possess the mindfulness mental factor (smṛti), let alone such an astute and crucial sovereign consciousness as the manas—it certainly possesses the mindfulness mental factor even more so.