All Activities of the Antarābhava Are Primarily Governed by the Karma of Manas

The intermediate state body (Antarābhava) also possesses the six consciousnesses, yet their functional strength is comparatively weaker than in a human body. As the intermediate state body is a manifestation of karmic force, its material form differs significantly from a human body. The consciousness dependent upon this material form thus has diminished capacities for thinking, analysis, and judgment. Without the constraining influence of consciousness, the karmic habits and tendencies of the mental faculty (manas) become fully manifest. If the afflictive habits of the mental faculty remain untransformed, if moral precepts, meditative concentration, and wisdom have not been cultivated, if one is not aligned with wholesome dharmas, and if meritorious virtues have not been developed, and furthermore, if the three fetters have not been severed, one will inevitably be bound by the fetters of afflictions and take rebirth in the Three Evil Realms. All activities of the intermediate state body are primarily governed by the karmic force of the mental faculty. If the mental faculty is virtuous, one goes to a wholesome realm for rebirth; if evil, to an evil realm for rebirth; or rebirth occurs according to the vow-power of the mental faculty.

Why is there no consciousness during the stage of approaching death? It is because the Tathāgatagarbha is preparing to depart, gradually withdrawing the four elemental seeds (mahābhūta) and ceasing to project them outward. Consequently, the functions of the five sense faculties can no longer be sustained, sensory objects (six dusts) can no longer be transmitted inward, the conditions necessary for the arising of consciousness become incomplete, and consciousness consequently ceases to arise. As the transmission of sensory objects diminishes progressively, the six consciousnesses grow increasingly faint and ultimately cease entirely.