The Connotations of the Five Object-Determining Mental Factors

The five selectively active mental factors also operate in conjunction with the mind-consciousness, serving to assist its functioning. However, they do not universally accompany the mind-consciousness in its operation; they cannot accompany it at all times, cannot accompany it in all places, cannot accompany it in all realms, and cannot accompany it in relation to all phenomena.

The mental factor of desire refers to the mind-consciousness having the wish, intention, thought, or demand to create or engage with certain phenomena. It acts as the cause that triggers subsequent operations of the mind-consciousness. Yet desire does not exist at all times, nor in all places; it does not pertain to all phenomena, nor does it arise in all states. The mental factor of decisive understanding refers to the mind-consciousness’s thorough comprehension of phenomena. Only when the mind-consciousness possesses the power of decisive understanding and truly comprehends phenomena can it make correct choices and act in accordance with wisdom, truth, and reality. However, for most sentient beings, the mind-consciousness cannot always achieve decisive understanding at all times, nor in all places, and certainly not in relation to all phenomena. The mental factor of mindfulness refers to the mind-consciousness generating thoughts about phenomena it intends to create, is currently creating, or has already created, thereby prompting subsequent choices, actions, and continued engagement with phenomena. Yet the consciousness cannot always be mindful at all times or in all places, whereas the mental faculty (manas) can constantly harbor thoughts at all times and in all places—this corresponds to a state of samādhi.

The mental factor of concentration refers to the focused state of the mind-consciousness, wherein it is neither scattered nor dull, and its attention is highly concentrated and unified. However, the mind-consciousness cannot always remain in concentration at all times or in all places, except when in deep meditative absorption (dhyāna) without emerging from it. The mental factor of wisdom refers to the mind-consciousness’s powerful capacity for discernment, comprehension, acceptance, discrimination, decision-making, and action—its robust ability to handle phenomena. Yet for ordinary sentient beings, the mind-consciousness cannot always possess wisdom at all times, nor in all places, and certainly not in relation to all phenomena.

These five capacities do not manifest at all times; they arise only under specific circumstances. However, the eighth consciousness (ālayavijñāna) possesses the powers of decisive understanding, concentration, and wisdom at all times and in all places. They are constantly present and manifest, pervading the discernment and operation of all phenomena, and extending throughout the operations of the three realms and nine stages. In the case of a Buddha, the first seven consciousnesses are endowed with decisive understanding, meditative concentration, and great wisdom at all times and in all places.