The Relationship Between the Mental Factor of Determination and the Mental Factor of Wisdom

The treatise states that firm conviction (adhimokṣa) is the endorsement of an object, knowing and believing it to be what it is, without error or doubt. For example, when the mind encounters a flower or the moon, it firmly perceives them as the flower and the moon, without hesitation. It trusts its own understanding and is not easily swayed; this is firm conviction. The character "胜" (shèng, meaning "superior" or "victorious") emphasizes the degree of understanding regarding the object, approaching its true nature. However, it is not yet the ultimate certainty, nor has it realized the true nature of the object. Therefore, there is still the mental factor of wisdom (prajñā) that follows. Only when the mental factor of wisdom arises can one realize the object, become certain of it, and fully comprehend the reality of the flower and the moon.

Firm conviction is akin to knowing what something is, while wisdom is akin to knowing why it is. One is understanding, the other is realization. Firm conviction is preliminary wisdom, the foundation of wisdom, while wisdom is the ultimate, final cognition. In the practice and realization of the Dharma, the mental factor of firm conviction corresponds to intellectual awakening (understanding through study), while the mental factor of wisdom corresponds to experiential awakening (realization through practice). For intellectual awakening to transform into experiential awakening, one must pass through two stages: the mental factor of mindfulness (smṛti) and the mental factor of concentration (samādhi). One must firmly imprint the understood Dharma into the mind, remembering it constantly without forgetting. Cultivating meditative concentration (dhyāna), the mind steadily abides in this Dharma, investigating it without interruption. Finally, the mind opens with certainty, great wisdom manifests, and experiential awakening is attained.

Achieving firm conviction regarding flowers and the moon is a mundane matter and may seem not too difficult. As long as one possesses the concepts and knowledge of worldly phenomena, has normally functioning sense faculties, and is free from obscurations, one can develop firm conviction about flowers and the moon. This also contains some relatively shallow understanding and wisdom. However, reaching the level of firm conviction in the context of the Dharma is not so easy. One must possess sufficient relevant knowledge and understanding of the Dharma and also practice the thirty-seven factors of enlightenment to reduce the obscurations of karmic hindrances before firm conviction can arise. Yet, there remains a considerable distance to travel before realization is attained. Further perfecting certain conditions and causes is necessary for realization to occur smoothly.