The Wisdom of Equality of Manas

The seventh consciousness initially possesses the Wisdom of Equality at the very beginning of the First Ground of Extreme Joy. This means that upon entering the initial mind of the First Ground of Extreme Joy, the seventh consciousness transforms from consciousness into wisdom, attaining a portion of the Wisdom of Equality. After cultivating the Six Perfections and achieving enlightenment through understanding the mind, the seventh consciousness gains Prajna wisdom. As this Prajna wisdom grows, it acquires subsequent wisdom. Through cultivating the path, the initial dhyāna is attained, afflictions are eradicated, and the barriers of the sunlit mirage and the dreamlike illusion are successively transcended. After realizing nirvana with residue and refining consciousness-only, it attains a portion of the wisdom of consciousness-only seeds, thereby entering the First Ground. At this stage, the sixth consciousness transforms from consciousness into wisdom for the first time, gaining the initial portion of the Wonderful Observing Wisdom, while the seventh consciousness also transforms from consciousness into wisdom for the first time, gaining the initial portion of the Wisdom of Equality. Both consciousnesses undergo three transformations from consciousness into wisdom before attaining Buddhahood, completely eradicating ignorance and defilements, transforming entirely into clarity. Only then do the eighth consciousness and the five sense consciousnesses respectively transform into the Great Mirror Wisdom and the Wisdom of Perfect Accomplishment, thereby perfecting the Buddha Way.

A First Ground Bodhisattva eradicates the nature of ordinary beings, enters the Tathāgata family, and becomes a true child of the Buddha. This represents an immensely significant transformation in the study and cultivation of Buddhism, marked by an extremely strong sense of inner joy, hence the name "Ground of Extreme Joy." The Wisdom of Equality of the seventh consciousness is transformed during the cultivation process of the Three Virtuous Stages after understanding the mind. It signifies the successful transformation based on reliance upon the eighth consciousness. The seventh consciousness realizes the equality of the eighth consciousness, constantly observing that although sentient beings experience different karmic retributions, the eighth consciousness, which is the cause presenting these retributions, is fundamentally equal. Thus, their appearances are also equal. This realization shatters the marks of self, others, sentient beings, and life span, truly realizing that all sentient beings are essentially equal and will ultimately attain Buddhahood. The mind of the seventh consciousness gradually gains equality. After eradicating afflictions and transforming consciousness into wisdom, it enters the First Ground.

Therefore, at the very moment of initial mind-understanding, both the seventh and sixth consciousnesses must simultaneously understand the mind. Only then can they possess Prajna wisdom, shatter the four marks, eradicate afflictions, transcend the Chan School's Three Barriers, realize the barriers of the sunlit mirage and the dreamlike illusion, eradicate the nature of ordinary beings, attain the First Ground Bodhisattva's portion of the wisdom of consciousness-only seeds, realize the suchness nature of all dharmas, realize a portion of the One True Dharma Realm, and ultimately attain Buddhahood.

The seventh consciousness of an Arhat lacks the Wisdom of Equality because Arhats have not understood the mind or attained enlightenment, and thus lack Prajna wisdom and consciousness-only wisdom. However, they possess a certain degree of equality, but its basis differs from that of a First Ground Bodhisattva. Arhats perceive all sentient beings as empty and devoid of self. Their minds have eradicated all afflictions and shattered the four marks. From this perspective of emptiness, the seventh consciousness sees all sentient beings as equal. However, it cannot perceive the equality of all dharmas, nor does it know that all dharmas are of the nature of the eighth consciousness, are of the nature of suchness, and are the One True Dharma Realm. Therefore, it lacks the Wisdom of Equality.

Considering the entire cultivation process of an Arhat, the wisdom of the Dharma-eye purity from the first fruit to the fourth fruit is attained simultaneously by both the seventh and sixth consciousnesses. Otherwise, afflictions cannot be eradicated, nirvana with and without residue cannot be entered, and the four marks cannot be shattered. If the seventh consciousness, the mental faculty (manas), cannot eradicate the view of self, it cannot eradicate the afflictions of ignorance. Birth and death cannot be ended, the dust and toil of the three realms cannot be transcended, the cycle of rebirth cannot cease, suffering cannot be severed, and cultivation of the path becomes meaningless.